NEW CASTLE, DE — New Castle County Executive Matt Meyer recently announced the pioneering members of the New Castle County Police Accountability Board. This new initiative seeks to enhance public safety through enhanced oversight and transparency, and it stands as a testament to the county’s commitment to progressive action.
The body is made up of thirteen members, including eleven voting members and two non-voting ex-officio members. Notably, the Director of Public Safety Vaughn Bond and Captain Brian Faulkner of the New Castle County Police Department will serve as the two ex-officio members. With the backing of the New Castle County Council, which unanimously passed the commission ordinance, the board was officially written into the county code on November 17, 2023.
The County Executive expressed his excitement for the prospective contribution of the newly appointed board members. “We welcome the members of New Castle County Police Accountability Board and we look forward to their insight and involvement with New Castle County public safety,” said Meyer. “These individuals will offer their unique and individual perspectives and I look forward to insights.”
The roster of the Police Accountability Board is a blend of experience and diversity, promising a wealth of differing perspectives. Each member brings their unique background and set of skills to the table, demonstrating the broad reach of this new initiative.
Among the members are justice-involved community activists Sean Green and Doug Hamilton, bringing hard-earned wisdom from personal experience with the justice system. From the academic world, criminal justice reform advocate Dr. Tanya Whittle and Dae’Shawn Nixon will lend their deep understanding of the societal implications of policing.
Educators Christa Davis and Dr. Jenna DiEleuterio are also joining the board, bringing the perspective of the educational world into conversations on public safety. Their knowledge of children and youth will be pivotal in forming forward-looking safety strategies.
The board also embraces representation from the mental health community through Norwood Coleman, a veteran community mental health provider. His expertise will ensure mental health considerations are part of the board’s decision-making process.
Pamela Brooks-Grimes, a victim of violent crime and a domestic violence survivor, brings a much-needed perspective to discussions, ensuring the board takes into account the viewpoints of those directly affected by crime.
Also on the board are at-large members Kim Eppehimer, Kevin Evans, and Bishop George Gibson. These members present invaluable voices from various cross-sections of society, from displaced families to victims of gun violence and community religious leaders.
Moreover, Kailyn Richards has been selected as a full-time liaison to the New Castle County Police Accountability Board. With her background as the Director of Policy at the Delaware Center for Justice, Richards brings extensive experience advocating for criminal justice reform and leading community-oriented projects.
All these appointments reflect a new dawn for public safety in New Castle County. This Police Accountability Board promises wider community involvement in decision-making processes, improved communication, and greater transparency within the police department. It stands as a beacon of New Castle’s commitment to proactive and collaborative public safety practices. It’s an impressive step, one that holds immense promise for the future of the county.
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