Problems In Looking for a new Dover Police Chief

The picture above is the Dover Police Chief Selection committee that met earlier this week. Mayor Robin Christiansen is chairing the committee.

Other committee members include City Council President Timothy A. Slavin , Councilman and Safety Advisory and Transportation Committee Chairman James Hosfelt, City Manager Scott Koenig and City Human Resources Director Kim Hawkins.

The purpose of the committee, from what I can tell, is to craft and write a job description so that the city of Dover can hire a new police chief. The problem is that this committee nowhere resembles the demographics of Dover which is 42% African-American. Another issue is that the acting chief, Deputy Chief Maj. Marvin Mailey, is popular among some members and is African-American.

“I am deeply disappointed that when we as a city are faced with a qualified and experienced and proven minority candidate for the position of chief of police, we have to convince ourselves that it’s OK to hire a minority,” Mr. Slavin said. “I’m sorry, but that’s the perception that many people see and many people have brought to me and that I agree with.

Even though the selection process needs to be inclusive, sometimes you already have qualified candidates.

Councilman David Anderson did not believe a “massive search” was required, with strong candidates already residing within Dover PD.

Maj. Mailey has overseen the police department as senior officer since Chief Bernat’s departure.

Speaking to the committee, NAACP Central Delaware President La Mar Gunn said, “We’re counting on you to get this right. A misstep in this process could erase all the positive things done recently (in building community relations.)”

Mr. Gunn said the candidates he knew “want the opportunity to compete for it based on merit” and now have the selection determined by skin color or college degree.