Dover, DE — The Superior Court of Delaware recently issued an opinion on a case filed by the ACLU of Delaware against the Division of Delaware State Police of the Delaware Department of Safety and Homeland Security (DSP). The court has determined that, in accordance with the Delaware Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), DSP will be required to disclose the names, ranks, and salary information of its officers.
“FOIA’s broad goal is to create easy access to public records, and State agencies must stop blocking that access with overly-expansive readings to various exemptions,” said Jared Silberglied, Penn Catalyst Legal Fellow at the ACLU-DE. “Delawareans are entitled to know the identities of the officers that are supposed to keep them safe.”
ACLU-DE filed the case in March of 2024 on behalf of The Delaware Call, an independent news media group, after their FOIA request for basic employment data about the state police was refused by DSP. The request sought information such as officer names and job titles, in addition to certification status and other basic demographic information that is commonly made available for other public officials and is disclosed by other police forces nationwide.
“Police departments in Delaware will reject requests for even the most basic information and obstruct any effort for more transparency in public safety,” stated Robert Vanella, coordinating editor at the Delaware Call. “I am grateful that the ACLU of Delaware took this case and will continue to pursue our right to open government. The Delaware Call reaffirms its commitment to fighting tooth and nail for transparency and accountability in public safety.”
