Brief History of the Selbyville Police Department
Selbyville, Delaware
 

The Selbyville Police Department was created by Town Charter on March 5, 1931 and was tasked with the “protection of persons and property, as well maintaining public peace, preventing crime, and promoting public morals.”

Originally, and for many years there after, only one officer was responsible for patrolling the business district east of the railroad tracks and the commercial area around the railroad. The officer was also responsible for operating and maintaining the town's water treatment plant. This responsibility continued on as the job of the Police Chief until the mid 1960s.

The 1960's were a time of growth and change for the Town, as well as for the Police Department. In 1967, lettering and roof lights were added to the patrol cars and Chief Ward "Junior" Collins was appointed Police Chief. The Police Department became well known due to its use of red patrol cars beginning in 1966 and continuing until 1976. The cars were then changed to white.

Chief Ward Collins and his Assistant Chief Donald Evans (Early Days)

With their Red Police car and "Husky" the town K-9 Police Dog.

 

 

In 1972 the Department's first K-9 unit was created with the acquisition of Husky a German Sheppard personally trained by Chief Collins. Husky became famous in his own right. Junior called him Husky because his markings resembled the Siberian Husky breed. The Delmarva News newspaper once did a feature on Husky - a full-sized, two-page center section of the paper. Husky served the town well for many years until he was replaced by his son, "Bronk". Alas, Bronk never quite lived up to the legend of his father. Husky is buried on the Collins family property. He was, after all, more than a police dog - he was part of the family.

In 1974, the first purchase of radar units, MPH K-55's occurred. Also in 1974 along with the use of radar the Department enacted “Rules for the Ethical Use of Radar Units for Speed Enforcement”.

Our first female officer was hired in 1984. The Department moved to its current location in 1989. The original building also housed the town offices and had been the train station in the late 1800 and early 1900's.

The Department began using Ford Police cars in 1990 with the current light blue color scheme. The current vehicle graphics were added in 1992.

Also in 1992 present day Chief W. Scott Collins joined the Selbyville Police Department as Patrolman Collins. (see the history of these two unique individuals)

In 1997 the Department obtained funding for the C.O.P.S. and increased the Department to 7 officers.

 

A Modern Day Restoration Underway...

A 1973 Plymouth Fury I, fleet package is under restoration. It is equipped with an original Police Dept. RCA high band radio, Federal model 28 siren, and will soon have the original Dept. roof light, and a Arrow Safety 4-bulb rotator. The vehicle has the original 318 motor with 101,000 miles. The seats have been recovered by Salisbury Auto Trim, and the paint was sprayed by Collins Auto Body. The color is correct for the Dept. 1973 was the last year that Selbyville PD used red cars.

 

Additional SPD historical information:

Local "DelmarvaCrossroads" newspaper article

"The town and the Fury"

Saturday September 22, 2007

By reporter James Diehl/Special to the News Journal

Click Here

 

 

 

Top of Page
 Return to Home Page

More History

 

Emergency 911 web site
   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

Chief W. Scott Collins

2001 to Present

 

 

Chief Scott has served the Town of Selbyville since January 1, 1992 when he began his career as a Selbyville Patrolman. Over the years he progressed through the ranks in the Department and in 2001 he was promoted to Chief of Police by the Town Council. At the promotion ceremony he was officially recognized in his new capacity by Chief Ward "Junior" Collins, who "pinned" the insignia of rank.

 

Contact Chief Collins at:


Selbyville Police Department
68 W. Church St.
Selbyville, DE 19975
302-436-5085
302-436-5299 fax

 

 

Chief Ward "Junior" Collins

1966 to 2001

 

"Junior", as he was affectionately called, began his service with the Selbyville Police Department in 1966 after serving as a Sussex County Constable for seven (7) years and a Fenwick Island Police Officer for two (2) summers prior to that. "Junior" was promoted to Chief in 1967 and served in that position until his retirement in 2001. He was born and lived his entire life in Selbyville, only leaving the area for a few years to serve in the U.S. Army's 1st Armored Division, where he served as a Tank Commander. He will always be remembered as a Patriarch in the Town of Selbyville. 

 
Top of Page
Return to Town of Selbyville Home Page