New Delaware State police leader named

Major Nathanial McQueen will take over as Superintendent of the State Police next month after Col. Robert Coupe retires.

McQueen has been with the State Police for 24 years and currently serves as Major of Operations for all New Castle County Troops, a position he’s held since 2009.

“Just to carry on the history of the division and running an absolute excellent agency is just an honor and a privilege,” McQueen said.  He says one of his goals as Superintendent will be to improve the connection between the community and the State Police.  “We have different jurisdictions up and down the state, and somehow I’d like to continue to make it closer to the community, where the community feels a lot more a part of the State Police.”

Governor Jack Markell introduced McQueen this morning at the Delaware State Police Museum in Dover.  He described him as “Somebody who is connected to the community who is engaged and involved, somebody who’s got deep roots, who has never forgot where he came from.”

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Over the past year, McQueen has been coordinating a crime fighting effort in the city of Wilmington called Operation Pressure Point, with State Troopers assisting Wilmington Police in the fight to stop violence in the city.  “I grew up in the city of Wilmington and my heart’s always been there.  Working with Operation Pressure Point over the last year certainly gave me the opportunity to get back and continue to have a strong relationship with the chief of Wilmington.”

Markell says McQueen’s that effort was another display of his ability to lead.  “He was able to work thoughtfully with community leaders, with clergy, with government leaders, brothers and sisters in law enforcement, working to draft and launch Operation Pressure Point in the city of Wilmington.”

McQueen has been a member of the State Police Executive Staff which should make for a smooth transition.  “I think it’s important not only to the community, but it’s important to the agency to have a seamless transition so the agency can move forward,” he said.

Col. Coupe’s retirement will take effect December 21.

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