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Council sets April 1 reporting deadline for Police Accountability Board; ordinance passes 12–1 amid dissent
Summary
New Castle County Council adopted Ordinance 26-002, amending the county code governing the Police Accountability Board and adding a floor amendment that sets an April 1 annual reporting date. The measure passed 12–1 after a council member argued the change undermines the board’s independence.
The New Castle County Council on Feb. 3 adopted Ordinance 26-002, changing the composition and responsibilities of the county’s Police Accountability Board and approving a floor amendment that sets a clear April 1 deadline for the board’s annual report to council.
Councilman Kaneko introduced floor amendment number 1, saying the change “sets April 1, so now we can have kind of a… battle rhythm each year on which what date we expect the report to be submitted,” and that the amendment “tightens up the language” to make an existing reporting requirement explicit.
Sponsors and supporters said the amendment merely codifies a date that other boards already follow under county code section 2.04.01. Councilman Toole said the change “mirrors more reflective of the current code as written” and noted it resulted from the executive office and public safety committee review.
Councilman Street delivered the lone substantive dissent, arguing the amendment “defeats the purpose and intention of the Police Accountability Board” and saying the executive branch should not be leading the board’s work. He repeatedly warned the change risks “impos[ing] our will arbitrarily” rather than letting the board itself set priorities.
After debate, the council voted on the floor amendment; the clerk announced the roll call result as "12 yes, 1 no." The council then voted on Ordinance 26-002 as amended; the clerk again reported "12 yes, 1 no," and the ordinance was adopted.
The ordinance and amendment reference existing New Castle County code on reporting requirements (code section 2.04.01 was discussed during the debate). Council members said the amendment’s purpose is to make the annual-report deadline explicit rather than to change substantive duties of the board.
Councilman Street said he would continue to press concerns about the board’s independence and about timely policy work such as body-camera release policies. Council members who supported the measure said the change promotes clarity and compliance with existing reporting practice.
The council closed debate after the vote; no immediate implementation timeline beyond the statutory April 1 reporting date was specified.
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