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June 06. 1971: Rehoboth Beach, Del. (AP) Although the fun of the summer resort season starts officially this weekend, there are some very clear-thinking people around who are hoping it will be a bore. Nothing could be finer than having nothing to do this week-end, or all summer for that matter, as far as police here are concerned. Things didn't happen that way last year, and because of it a special detachment of 30 or more state troopers were assigned to a boardwalk beat every week-end for the rest of the summer. Last Memorial Day week-end, a local police officer tried to arrest a youth for spraying people with beer Saturday night on the boardwalk. Somehow it grew into a confrontation between the police and 1,000 youths, and although the situation was controlled, the troopers and some K-9 dogs, were prominently on view the next week and thereafter. It was expensive for the state (the police were on overtime) and somewhat embarrassing to local residents and officials. The city responded by hiring Philadelphia's Franklin Institute to do a $5,000. study on the peculiar problems faced by law enforcers at a summer resort. The recommendations have been implemented to varying degrees and Police Chief William L. Marvel now predicts, "I think we can handle anything that comes up this summer. I hope we don't have any trouble, but if we do, we're prepared," he said. The summertime police force at Rehoboth has been increased to 39 men, partly by replacing eight meter maids with foot patrolmen who can be summoned for other duties in an emergency. Communications also have been improved, both within the local police force and with State Police units. But concern and consideration for the kids probably will end up playing a greater role in fostering a peaceful summer. Some changes in the city ordinances also may be in the works according to City Commissioner Joseph H. Niblett, who along with others wants to let the kids stay on the beach at night, perhaps with a lighted late-night recreation area. "In my day at Rehoboth Beach we had something to do at night. We could dance in the hotels or go on the beach around a fire," said Niblett. "Now kids can't do that here. They can't play ball on the beach, or stay on the beach at night, so they all flock to the boardwalk and have nothing to do, and we have trouble. Let them dance in the sand. Light up one area of the beach, keep it open until midnight, let them play their guitars, and let them dance and play games," he said.

1973: Beginning in the summer of 1973, officers were allowed to participate in a multi-jurisdictional drug task force, run through the Delaware State Police, known as the "Governor's Investigative Strike Force." One officer volunteered to service for a period of time (6-8 months), working with this unit, in the capacity of an "undercover police officer." This department continued to send officers to this unit through 1975.

1974: During the winter of 1974, a huge teletype machine (6'x3'x4') was installed in the communications room of the police department. This was cutting edge technology for the time. Officers could finally send and receive messages without having to pick up the telephone and call the State Police. In order to use the machine, officers had to type a message on a long thin piece of paper. As you typed holes were punched in the paper. The officer then placed the paper in a roller which sent the message as the paper entered the machine. The only problem with this was you could not see what you typed, so all the mistakes in typing went too!

L to R: Chief William Walls, ___, Walter Friday, Samuel Sockriter, Albert Stevenson, Richard McCarty,
Kerry Smith, ___, Charles Mitchell, Reese Wolfe, William Cook, Roland Millman, Isaac West,
Charles Moore, Clarence Bailey, Harvey Leighty, Preston Shockley.

1975: Rehoboth Beach Police uniform trousers where changed to dark blue as seen above, however they were changed back to "french blue" a year later due to their unpopularity among the officers

Rear L to R: Det. Sgt. Charles Moore, Sgt. Isaac West, Ptlm. Michael Corbin, Ptlm. Kerry Smith,
Sgt. Reese Wolfe, Ptlm. ___, Cpl. Leroy Brasure, Sgt. Albert Stevenson, Ptlm. John Bushey.
Front L to R: Chief William Walls, Ptlm. William Harris, Ptlm. Joseph Miano, Sgt. Clarence Bailey,
PFC. Richard McCarty, Ptlm. William Cook, Secretary Betty Leister, Det. Roland Millman,
Lieut. Preston Shockley. Kneeling: PFC. Samuel Sockriter & "Prince."

January 09, 1976. Rehoboth Beach, Del. (UPI) After 20 years with the Rehoboth Beach police, Chief Will G. Walls Thursday announced his retirement as head of the department, effective Jan. 23. Walls, who joined the force as a patrolman in 1955 and became Chief in June, 1973, cited health reasons for leaving the 18 member full-time police force.

Rear L to R: Cpl. Michael Corbin, Cpl. Samuel Sockriter, Cpl. Kerry Smith, Sgt. Charles Moore,
Ptlm. Gary Bailey, Sgt. Isaac West. Front L to R: Ptlm. Harry Miller, Sgt. Charles Mitchell,
Sgt. Clarence Bailey, Ptlm. Colette Lancaster, Ptlm. Michael Walls. (This is not complete department)

1983: The Rehoboth Beach Police Department began using motorcycles to patrol the city. The program started out with a small Honda and progressed to a full-size Harley Davidson. The motorcycle patrol was disbanded in 1987.

1983: The police department facility was expanded to include the area previously occupied by the Rehoboth Library, and the entrance to the department was changed from the east side to the north side, facing Rehoboth Ave.

During the winter of 1983, the police department began a project called "Operation Santa Claus." This program, the idea of Cpl. Michael Corbin, continued until 1991. Police department personnel, both sworn and civilian, participated in the solicitation of toys, and funds to purchase toys, which were then distributed to needy families during a huge Christmas party held in Rehoboth's Convention Center. The program became so large that the last few programs served several hundred children.

Sgt. Michael Corbin overlooks PFC Danny Picard and two seasonal officers trying to revive an intoxicated person who has passed out on the boardwalk.
	Sgt. Michael Corbin confiscating alcohol during the summer of 1992

May 11, 1990: The Rehoboth Beach Police Department began teaching the A.D.A.M. anti-drug program at the Rehoboth Beach Elementary School. This program was later changed to the D.A.R.E. program, which is still being taught today.

July 10, 1990: Approval was received from the city to purchase body armor for police officers, while working.

May 3, 1992: The Rehoboth Beach Police Department established the Bicycle Enforcement Unit. The first of its kind in Sussex County, Delaware. This unit began with one full-time police officer riding one bicycle which had been purchased and from funds obtained from the Delaware Office of Highway Safety. This unit has grown into a section of eight police mountain bicycles ridden by trained seasonal police officers. Two of these officers are assigned to each of the four shifts within the police department.

(Mid-1993): The police department began participation in "Operation North Star", a program initiated by the federal government to allow state and local government to acquire used equipment at no cost. Over the years, the police department has acquired much technological equipment. These computers provided us with our first internal computer network, leading to the cutting edge equipment now purchased through federal and state grants.

April 1, 1993: The position of Detective is re-instated. The first Detective since 1979, Cpl. David Webb, was appointed.

January 1, 1999: Computers are installed in five Rehoboth Beach Police vehicles. Officers are now able to check driver, and vehicle information directly from their vehicles, without going through the dispatch center.

September 23, 1999: Rehoboth Beach Police Officers with the rank of Sergeant and below sign their first collective bargaining contract with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Local 326 as their union.

During the 1990's, the Rehoboth Beach Police Department began to present programs to the public in an effort to provide the community with a better understanding about what police officers do, and the different types of tools that they use in their job.

January 2000: For the first time, Police officers begin traveling out of state into Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia, in a recruiting drive to attract applicants for seasonal police officer positions.

June 2000: An All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) patrol for use on the beach as a public relations and drug enforcement tool is started. For the first time, this strange looking, but effective vehicle is seen patrolling the beaches in Rehoboth.

January 13, 2001: The Rehoboth Beach Police Department goes online by launching this website. Information on general department information, department history, safety tips, etc. was included.

March 15, 2001: Sergeant Keith W. Banks becomes the RBPD's 14th Chief of Police, and the youngest person to ever hold that position. Chief Banks rose through the ranks beginning his career as a seasonal officer in 1989.

L to R: Paul Parsons, Colette Sutherland, Brad Hudson, Keith McCabe, Michael Murphy,
Benjamin Mitchell, Michael Corbin, Chief Keith Banks, Bonnie Ladd, Eric Glasco, John Bushey,
Scott O'Bier, Brian Kaczmarczyk, Kevin Jones.

September 15, 2001: On Saturday, September 15, 2001, the Rehoboth Beach and Lewes Police and Fire Departments jointly participated in a staging a display to demonstrate respect and appreciation for the fallen police officers and fire fighters at the World Trade Center disaster.

Fire trucks and police vehicles were draped in black and placed at the boardwalk on Rehoboth Avenue. Fire apparatus had their ladders extended with the intention of attaching and unfurling an enormous American flag. Earlier in the day, gusty winds had complicated the raising of the flag. Even when the winds calmed down, fire and police personnel struggled with the enormity of the task. In a show of unity, onlookers who had been gathering on the boardwalk, moved forward to assist in raising the flag while the crowd began to sing "America the Beautiful".

There was a tremendous sense of patriotism in the outpouring of emotions expressed by the crowd. The display remained in place until 5:00pm and was viewed by many who continued to show their enthusiasm by the honking of car horns and banners waving from passing vehicles.

April 15, 2002: On April 15th, the Rehoboth Beach Police Department took delivery of two additional In-Car Mobile Vision Video Camera Systems, and two new Portable Breath Testers, from the Office of Highway Safety, through special funding. As soon as these cameras can be mounted in our police vehicles, all of our patrol vehicles will be equipped with these camera systems. All of our full-time officers were recently trained in their use by a departmental instructor and they will be utilizing the systems when in contact with the public.

September 11, 2002


Marquee in front of Convention Center	Rehoboth Beach Fire Dept. equipment and Rehoboth Police Vehicle

The Rehoboth Beach Fire and Police Department's, along with other agencies across the nation, observed the first anniversary of "September 11th, 2001", with a display of equipment throughout the day. Police personnel also made appearances at ceremonies at the Rehoboth VFW in the morning and the Bandstand at 7 p.m.

July 2003

L to R: Tyler Whitman, Jaime Riddle, ___, Keith McCabe, John Bushey, Benjamin Mitchell II,
Michael Corbin, Chief Keith Banks, Bonnie Ladd, Brian Kaczmarczyk, Michael Dill,
Scott Obier, Kevin Jones, Paul Parsons, Brad Hudson, Victor Letonoff

L to R: Shannon Judson, Mark Sweet, Brian Kaczmarczyk, Tyler Whitman, Bonnie Ladd,
Jaime Riddle, Michael Dill, Kevin Jones, Scott Obier, Victor Letonoff Jr., Paul Parsons,
Brad Hudson, Raymond Edwards, Michael Corbin, Keith McCabe, Benjamin Mitchell II,
Chief Keith Banks, John Bushey

The fundamental mission of the Rehoboth Beach Police Department is to protect the lives and property of our fellow citizens; preserve the peace, order, and safety of the community we serve; safeguard those guarantees provided under the Constitution of the United States and the State of Delaware; enforce the law in a fair and impartial manner; and provide other police related services as required by the community in a manner consistent with the values of a free society.

In order to fulfill this mission, the Rehoboth Beach Police Department will work in partnership with the citizenry to resolve problems and improve the quality of community life; insure the safe and expeditious movement of vehicular traffic on public roadways; maintain a proactive patrol attitude in order to reduce the opportunity to commit crime; and strive to aggressively identify, pursue, and apprehend offenders.

Although a society free from crime and disorder remains an unachievable task, it is the responsibility of the Rehoboth Beach Police Department to approach that idea as closely as possible by having its members develop a reputation for fairness, civility, and integrity that wins the respect of all citizens.

In order to respond in a professional manner to the challenges set forth in our mission, the Rehoboth Beach Police Department will create and maintain a quality work and managerial environment that focuses on agency goals and provides for career development for its personnel through training, advancement, and reward for exemplary performance.