Delaware governor honors local police chief

Delaware Governor Jack Markell honored Newport Chief of Police Michael Capriglione for dedicating over a decade of service to the Delaware Police Chief’s Council.

On Wednesday, Gov. Markell presented Chief Capriglione with a certificate of appreciation.  Several state and law enforcement officials were also there to recognize the veteran officer by sharing many words of encouragement. Since 1981, Chief Capriglione has worn many hats on the council, from secretary to chairman over the past 11 years.

“It’s overwhelming, to have all the cabinet, secretaries, and police chiefs from across the state to come here for this tribute that the governor decided to give me for serving 11 years as president of Delaware Police Chief’s…I’m pretty humbled by it, it feels really good,” expressed Capriglione.

During Capriglione’s service, he formed a partnership with the Office of Highway Safety, which helped to expand the New Castle County Checkpoint Strikeforce Campaign.  Now, officers from various municipalities are able to conduct checkpoints together and tackle impaired driving throughout the state. 

As a result, Highway Safety officials say Chief Capriglione’s leadership has led to unprecedented arrests under the New Castle Castle County Checkpoint Strikeforce. “His commitment to highway safety and to reducing the incidence of drinking and driving on Delaware roadways has led to countless numbers of lives saved and we congratulate him for this recognition for a job very well done,” said Office of Highway Safety Director Jana Simpler.

According to the New Castle City Chief of Police Kevin McDerby, Capriglione is the longest tenured police chief in the state and served as the chairman of the Delaware Police Chief’s Council longer than any of his predecessors.