Dewey police trained in de-escalation techniques

In response to nationwide protests against police brutality, Dewey Beach Town Manager Scott Koenig said Dewey officers completed de-escalation training in February.   

In May, commissioners voted to upgrade old police department Tasers, and Koenig said the town still plans to replace them.  

Koenig said equipment for recording inbound police dispatch area phone lines and radio transmissions is scheduled to be installed this month, after delays as a result of COVID-19. 

Amid concerns about the militarization of local police forces and Dewey’s history of involvement with the federal military surplus program Law Enforcement Support Office of the Department of Defense, Koenig said the only items received from the program that remain in use are the Hummer and small items such as clothing and flashlights.

He also said the town had not received any new military equipment under the program. “We have expressed interest in training ammunition, if it became available, but we have not received any ammunition as of this date.” 

Koenig said the town has two body cameras for demonstration and testing purposes, but they are not used in the field at this time.