Seaford council approves adding Blades members to police oversight board and backs charter change to clarify police chief authority

Seaford9s City Council on Aug. 12 unanimously approved revisions to the Police Chiefs Accountability Advisory Board bylaws to add two members from the neighboring town of Blades and voted to pursue a charter amendment that would explicitly state the duties and reporting relationship of the city9s police chief. The changes come after months of discussion about regional cooperation and to meet state-mandated standards for police accountability boards. Council members and police officials told the council the revision would allow Blades9 residents to join the board after the town requested to transition into a regional PCAB and that new language in the city charter would clarify who supervises and administers the police department. Chief Marshall Craft said the board discussed Blades9 request at its June 18 meeting and gave a favorable recommendation; Craft said the two nominees identified by Blades would undergo background checks and required training, including a mandatory 20 hours of board training and compliance with open-meeting and records rules. Vice Mayor Dan Henderson, who chairs the advisory board, said the change would help bring Blades into compliance with state law. The council also approved proposed charter language that would add a section titled "Chief of Police: Duties of Police." The draft text reads in part that "the City of Seaford Police Department shall be under the supervision and command of a police chief who shall be appointed by the mayor with the advice and consent of city council. The chief of police shall report directly to the city manager and be subject to applicable laws, including Delaware employment laws, and the terms of the employment agreement." The draft further states the chief "shall be responsible for the organization, administration, and operation of the department" and have authority to set department rules and personnel actions in accordance with law and city policy. City Manager and staff flagged the charter addition as helpful for national accreditation and for clarifying the chain of command; the city attorney has reviewed the proposed wording, the chief said. Council member discussion included staggering terms for the two outside appointments so the board does not turn over all at once. Actions taken: the council9s motion to approve the PCAB bylaw revision was made by Vice Mayor Dan Henderson and seconded by Councilwoman Stephanie Grasset; the motion passed unanimously. The motion to approve the charter-language draft was made by Vice Mayor Henderson and seconded by Councilman Holland; that motion also passed unanimously. Council directed staff to forward the charter change draft to their state senator and representative for sponsorship in the next legislative session. Why it matters: House Bill 206 (Title 11, Chapter 84) requires police accountability structures; the council9s approvals aim to meet those statewide requirements while allowing regional cooperation with Blades. The charter amendment would formally place the police chief under the supervision structure described in the draft and is expected to be introduced to the state legislature for enactment. The board plans to meet Sept. 18; pending completion of background checks and required training, the two Blades nominees will be presented to the mayor for appointment at a subsequent council meeting.