PRESS RELEASE: Councilmember Shané Darby Calls for Immediate Independent External Audit of the Wilmington Police Department
Friday, June 26, 2026
Councilmember Shané Darby Calls for Immediate Independent External Audit of the Wilmington Police Department
Wilmington, DE — Following the recent officer-involved shooting involving a 19-year-old, Wilmington City Councilmember Shané Darby is renewing her call for the City of Wilmington to immediately commission an independent external assessment of the Wilmington Police Department.
“For two terms, I have introduced resolutions urging this administration to move forward with an independent external audit of the Wilmington Police Department. Those resolutions have gone nowhere. We do not need another meeting. We do not need another presentation. We already have a proposal from a nationally recognized policing reform expert outlining exactly how this work can be accomplished.”
The recent incident has once again shaken the confidence of many Wilmington residents.
“The images from this incident are heartbreaking. Watching a 19-year-old who had been shot be handcuffed, dragged across the ground, dropped, and placed into the back of a police vehicle has left many people horrified. To many in our community, it appeared as though he was treated like a deer after a hunt rather than a human being. Regardless of the allegations against an individual, every person deserves to be treated with dignity and humanity once they are injured and in police custody.”
Councilmember Darby emphasized that the community deserves transparency regarding every aspect of the investigation, including the release of body-worn camera footage when legally appropriate.
“Body cameras were intended to increase transparency and public trust. When footage is withheld for extended periods without clear communication, it creates more questions than answers. At the same time, the community’s account of what occurred differs significantly from the official police narrative. Those differences reinforce why independent oversight is essential.”
Darby also expressed concern about the reliance on internal investigations.
“The community cannot be expected to place full confidence in a process where police investigate police. Internal investigations determine whether officers complied with departmental policy. An independent assessment examines whether those policies, training, supervision, accountability systems, and culture are themselves adequate.”
The proposed external assessment would include a comprehensive review of:
- Department policies and procedures
- Officer hiring, promotions, and discipline
- Use-of-force practices
- Body-worn camera policies
- Officer training
- Community-police relations
- Data collection and public reporting
- Community listening sessions
- Written recommendations and a public presentation of findings
The City has already received a proposal from Mayers Strategic Solutions outlining the scope of work, methodology, community engagement process, and deliverables for such an assessment. The proposal also includes public safety listening sessions and a comprehensive report with recommendations.
Councilmember Darby is also calling on the Wilmington Community Police Accountability Board (WCPAB) to join this effort by publicly urging the Carney Administration to move forward with the independent external assessment.
“The WCPAB was established to strengthen transparency, accountability, and public trust. I respectfully ask the Board to adopt a formal resolution or public statement encouraging the Administration to immediately implement this external assessment. This is an opportunity for the Board to exercise its voice in support of meaningful, system-wide accountability.”
“This is no longer about whether an external assessment is possible. It is about whether we have the political will to act.”
Councilmember Darby is calling on Mayor John Carney, every member of Wilmington City Council, the Wilmington Community Police Accountability Board, and community stakeholders to support immediately moving forward with the assessment.
“We have attended enough vigils.
We have held enough press conferences.
We have embraced enough grieving families.
We have had enough meetings.
The proposal already exists.
The expert has already been identified.
The work has already been scoped.
If we are serious about rebuilding trust between law enforcement and the community, then we must move beyond words and into action.
Our residents deserve transparency.
Our officers deserve systems that strengthen professionalism and public confidence.
Our city deserves accountability.
The next tragedy should not be the reason we finally decide to act.”
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MEDIA CONTACT:Yesenia TaverasDirector of Communications
Wilmington City Council | City of Wilmington, DEOffice: (302)576-2585
Mobile: (302)757-5748Email: ytaveras@wilmingtonde.govCity Council’s Website: www.wilmingtoncitycouncil.com