Nathaniel McQueen Jr., Secretary of the Department of Safety and Homeland Security, announced Major Elmer C. Harris as the Chief of the Delaware Capitol Police.
The Department of Safety and Homeland Security (DSHS) and the Delaware Capitol Police (DCP) held a ceremony to mark the start of Chief Elmer C. Harris’s role as Chief of Police. Harris, with 39 years of police experience, was selected to lead the Capitol Police following the retirement of Chief Michael Hertzfeld. Chief Hertzfeld retires with 14 years of service with (DCP) and 26 years of total police experience.
“Chief Harris is a qualified, experienced, and proven leader. I am confident in his ability to lead the women and men of the Capitol Police Department. His leadership skills and years of experience will enable him to build on the progress of the Capitol Police,” said Safety and Homeland Security Secretary Nathaniel McQueen, Jr. “His 39 years of dedicated service to our State throughout his law enforcement career and his passion for the mission of public service are admirable.”
The ceremony, which featured the Honorable Arlene Coppage, Family Court Judge, administering the oath of office, was attended by many members of the Delaware Capitol Police, Department of Safety and Homeland Security, and the Delaware law enforcement community.
“I firmly believe a leader is only as good as the people surrounding him, and we have an outstanding group of individuals in the Division,” Chief Harris said. “I look forward to the opportunity to serve in this new leadership role. I am confident that working together with the men and women of the Delaware Capitol Police, we can continue to move the Division forward by diversifying, embracing inclusion, and providing opportunities for our workforce as we serve the citizens of the State of Delaware.”
Chief Harris began his career in law enforcement in 1984 with the Wilmington Police Department, retiring at the rank of Inspector of Uniformed Operations. During his law enforcement career, he served as an officer in Patrol Division and Criminal Investigations. He was promoted to Sergeant in 1991 and was a supervisor in the Patrol Division, Criminal Investigations, and Internal Affairs as an Investigator. He was then promoted to Lieutenant and served as a Platoon Commander in the Patrol Division. He was promoted to the rank of Captain and served as the Commanding Officer of the following divisions: Patrol Division, Internal Affairs, Special Operations and Criminal Investigations. He was then promoted to Inspector in charge of the Uniformed Operations.
After retiring, he joined the Delaware Capitol Police (DCP) in 2017 as a Corporal. He worked out of the New Castle County Courthouse. He was then promoted to the rank of Major in September 2022, where he was in charge of the Kent Sussex Counties operations.
He is a graduate of the 251the session of the Federal Bureau of Investigation National Academy and a member of the International Association of Police Chiefs. Chief Harris is a military veteran, serving 13 years in the United States Army and Army Reserves.
Chief Harris is a Delaware native and resides in Bear with his significant other, Tracy Henderson. He is the proud father of Ashley, Byron, Chryshele Henderson, and Myiesha Harris. He has three grandchildren Mehki, Maliyha and Amani.
Source: State of Delaware Press Release