New Castle County is set to see two major changes to law enforcement administration.
New Castle County Chief of Police Vaughn Bond is set to become New Castle County Public Safety Director
County Executive Matt Meyer announced Tuesday he was nominating current New Castle County Chief of Police Vaughn Bond for the position of New Castle County Public Safety Director.
"This is a great day for the public safety of our communities and for the long-term future of our fine police department," said Meyer. “Col. Bond will go down in history as a trailblazer for this department and for this county. He made courageous decisions to invest in community policing and mental health and substance use treatment before it became popular to do so. Col. Bond has also shown unprecedented commitment to diversity in his leadership team."
Bond, who was the first Black police chief for New Castle County and promoted the department's first female Lieutenant Colonel Wendi Freeser, would oversee the Divisions of Police, Emergency Medical Services and Emergency Communications, and the Office of Emergency Management while collaborating with the fire service in his new position.
The county's public safety director position had been vacant for a few years.
To replace Bond, Meyer said he was also nominating 27-year veteran Capt. Joseph Bloch to the chief's position. Bloch joined the department in 1994 as a recruit officer; he oversaw the patrol and criminal investigation units when he was promoted to captain in November 2017.
"We as New Castle County residents are fortunate to have an officer of Captain Joe Bloch’s caliber to lead us into the future," said County Executive Meyer. "He is a tremendous public servant who will continue to improve relationships with the community and to lead with 21st century public safety strategies."
New Castle County Police Capt. Joseph Bloch is set to become the Chief of Police
Bond said the successes of the New Castle County Police Department have been a collaborative effort between county leaders, County Council, and those who serve.
"I want to thank the courageous men and women of the New Castle County Division of Police. I am so proud of the level of service they have provided to our communities over the past few years," said Bond. "It has not always been easy, but you have persevered and continued to exceed the expectations of those we serve."
Bloch, a graduate of Delcastle High School and the University of Delaware, was appointed by Gov. John Carney as a Child Protection Accountability Commission Member, is a member of Law Enforcement Executive Development Association, is a board member of Child Advocacy Centers, and was also appointed by Carney as a member of the Steering Commission on the Protection of Children. He also volunteers with the Food Bank of Delaware and Special Olympics Delaware.
"I am honored and humbled by this appointment from County Executive Matt Meyer and Chief Administrative Officer Vanessa Phillips," said Capt. Bloch. "I look forward to the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead as we continue to build trust with the communities we serve and ensure the safety of the citizens of New Castle County."
Both Bond and Bloch will assume their new positions October 1, 2021, in an acting capacity, pending New Castle County Council approval.
