Update (9/22/14): The News Journal wrote a story about the training seminar, and their editorial staff has weighed in with an op-ed about the collaboration.
CONTACT:
Alexandra Coppadge, City of Wilmington Communications Director- (302) 740-0675, amcoppadge@WilmingtonDE.gov
Kathleen MacRae, ACLU of Delaware Executive Director- (302) 654-5326 x102, kmacrae@aclu-de.org
The City of Wilmington and the ACLU of Delaware are collaborating to offer a training seminar for Wilmington police officers on the Fourth Amendment, which governs constitutional principles pertaining to unreasonable search and seizure, including the use of force by police officers in arresting individuals. The seminar will be conducted by Professor Jules Epstein and Professor Leonard N. Sosnov, two constitutional law professors from Widener Law School. ACLU of Delaware Executive Director Kathleen MacRae will provide opening remarks.
Ongoing professional development is as important in the law enforcement profession as it is in any other. The Wilmington Police Department has always recognized this principle, and it has provided its officers with training exceeding minimum state and national standards. As a nationally accredited law enforcement agency, the Department's training curriculum has been approved by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc.
"This seminar will supplement the Department's on-going training, and will provide another opportunity for officers to review the constitutional principles governing search and seizure. The Wilmington Police Department and its officers will continue to address public safety and combat crime in a manner consistent with the Constitution," said Chief of Police Bobby Cummings.
The ACLU's overriding concern is ensuring that police officers operate within the Constitution and current law when interacting with both law abiding and law breaking citizens on the streets of Wilmington. When the rules are fully understood and closely followed everyone is better off, including the police. If police overreach, the evidence or arrest in a case can be thrown out of court and that undermines the safety of the community," said Kathleen MacRae, ACLU executive director.
