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Discussions underway for a shared police dept. in Dagsboro & Frankford

Photo from DelmarvaUSA
Discussions are currently underway between the Towns of Dagsboro and Frankford to unify their police departments.

Discussions are currently underway between the towns of Dagsboro and Frankford to share a police department.

 

 

Dagsboro Police Chief Floyd Toomey is spearheading the idea of his department merging with the Frankford Police Department.

He says it gained momentum following the recent resignation of the Frankford police chief.

 

"We had bantered around this idea in the past and I was actually contacted when the previous chief retired or resigned," said Toomey. "I was contacted by a member of the Council who said we're interested; if the Town of Dagsboro is interested, we're interested in pursuing unification."

 

Chief Toomey adds the set-up of the combined operation would be somewhat unique

 

"I use the term unification because it's not truly a merger; the two departments would maintain sovereignty and they would still be two separate departments headed by a singular leadership or chain of command," said Toomey.

 

Under the proposal, Chief Toomey would take on the role of police chief of the combined department and oversee a total of six officers who would protect and serve both communities.

 

There are an estimated 2,000 residents living full or part-time in Dagsboro and Frankford.

 

"The unification would be designed to strengthen both towns' ability to respond to emergencies more effectively and efficiently to enforce the law," said Toomey.

 

The cost to unify the two forces is estimated to be just over $121,000- plus some other expenses. The Frankford Police Department would absorb that cost since Dagsboro’s budget is already set.

 
Frankford held a Town Hall meeting on the proposal Tuesday night. Another Town Hall is scheduled Wednesday at 7 p.m. at the Dagsboro Fire Department.

Kelli Steele has over 30 years of experience covering news in Delaware, Baltimore, Winchester, Virginia, Phoenix, Arizona and San Diego, California.