Monthly Archives: July 2024

07.18.24
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NEW CASTLE COUNTY DIVISION OF POLICE INVITES PUBLIC COMMENT ON ACCREDITATION ASSESSMENT

(New Castle, DE 19720)— Site-based assessor(s) from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA®), will arrive August 5, 2024, to examine all aspects of the New Castle County Division of Police policy and procedures, management, operations, and support services, Colonel Bloch announced today.

Verification by the assessor(s) that New Castle County Division of Police meets the Commission’s comprehensive state-of-the-art standards is part of a voluntary process to gain accreditation—a highly prized recognition of public safety professional excellence, he said. As part of the assessment, agency personnel and members of the community are invited to offer comments at a public information public access portal posted at: https://www.newcastlede.gov/2590/CALEA-Accreditation

If for some reason an individual cannot access the portal but would like to provide comments to the assessment team, he/she may do so by writing to the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement, Inc. (CALEA®), 13575 Heathcote Boulevard, Suite 320 Gainesville, Virginia 20155 or email calea@calea.org.

A copy of the standards is available by contacting: Rhonda L. Burns, Police Accreditation Coordinator, 302-395-8001.

The New Castle County Division of Police has to comply with 375 standards in order to gain accredited status.

Accreditation is for four years, during which the agency must submit agency status reports and participate in annual remote web-based assessments attesting continued compliance with the standards.

For more information regarding the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. please write to the Commission at 13575 Heathcote Boulevard, Suite 320 Gainesville, Virginia 20155; or call (703) 352-4225 or email calea@calea.org.

07.12.24
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DETECTIVES ARREST SUSPECT IN RAPE INVESTIGATION – JOHN ARNOLD

(Wilmington, DE. 19803) Detectives from the New Castle County Division of Police have charged 47-year-old John Arnold with multiple counts of rape.

In July 2024, The New Castle County Division of Police was alerted to a sexual assault against a child that occurred in the 2200 block of Thomas Road in the community of Fairfax. Detectives from the New Castle County Division of Police Criminal Investigations Unit were notified and assumed the investigation.

During the investigation, detectives learned that a 5-year-old victim reported that John Arnold had inappropriate sexual contact with her on multiple occasions. Detectives also discovered that John Arnold was an Emotional Support Therapist for the Brandywine School District. Currently, no evidence indicates that any students from the Brandywine School District were victims.

John Arnold was taken into custody on Thursday, July 11, 2024, and then transported to the New Castle County Police headquarters, and was charged with the following crimes:

•              One felony count of Rape first degree, the victim is less than twelve.

•              One felony count of sexual abuse of a child by a person of trust 1st degree.

•              One felony count of rape second-degree without consent.

•              One felony count rape second-degree victim us less than twelve.

•              One felony count of dangerous crime against a minor under fourteen.

John Arnold was arraigned at the Justice of the Peace Court 11 and committed to the Howard Young Correctional Institution after failing to pay $1,050,000.00 cash bail.

Any individual with additional information is asked to contact Detective Daniel Watson at (302)395-8030 or by email at Daniel.Watson@newcastlede.gov

John Arnold -47

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07.10.24
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FATHER & SON ARRESTED FOLLOWING ALTERCATION INVOLVING ASSAULT ON AN OFFICER

(Wilmington, DE 19805)- On Tuesday, July 9, 2024, Officers from the New Castle County Division of Police responded to a noise complaint in the unit block of Penarth Drive. Before their arrival, Officers were informed that 52-year-old Lee Zaffiri was wanted by the New Castle County Police for incidents that occurred on the previous nights. Upon contacting Lee Zaffiri at his residence, he became combative and, during the altercation, forcefully shoved a ladder at one of the Officers, striking the Officer in the face. During the altercation, his son, 26-year-old Learto Zaffiri, interfered and physically confronted the Officers. Despite the resistance, Officers successfully apprehended both suspects after a brief struggle. The injured Officer was transported to a local hospital, treated for their injuries, and released.

Lee Zaffiri was transported to New Castle County Police headquarters, where he was charged with the following crimes:

  • Two felony counts of assault 2nd degree injuring a Law Enforcement Officer.
  • One felony count of resisting arrest.

Lee Zaffiri was arraigned by the Justice of the Peace Court 2 and released on his own recognizance.

Learto Zaffiri was transported to New Castle County Police headquarters, where he was charged with the following crimes:

  • Two misdemeanor counts of resisting arrest.
  • One misdemeanor count of criminal mischief under $1000 damaged property.

Learto Zaffiri was arraigned by the Justice of the Peace Court 2 and released on his own recognizance.

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Lee Zaffiri -52

Learto Zaffiri-26