Lewes police chief accepts job with chiefs' council

For Lewes Police Chief Jeffrey Horvath, the opportunity to work at the Delaware Police Chiefs' Council was just too good of a job to pass up. Horvath has notified city officials he will not renew his contract when it expires in April. He will become the executive director of the chiefs' council, replacing Martin Johnson, who's held the job for 38 years.

“I don't leave here with hard feelings,” he said. “If this job had not come up, I'd be wanting to stay here.”

Horvath came to Lewes in April 2010 after serving as police chief at Dover Police Department since 2001. In total, Horvath spent 26 years with Dover PD, rising up the ranks from patrolman.

“It's just exciting,” he said. “I've been a police chief for a long time now. I look forward to working as a civilian but staying in the criminal justice field.”

Horvath's contract expires April 12, but he said he is willing to stay on as long as city officials need him or until he is needed at his new position.

The Delaware Police Chiefs' Council is open to all police chiefs in the state. Horvath, a past chairman, said the council provides a direct connection to the International Association of Chiefs of Police. It also works with the Delaware State Troopers Association and the Fraternal Order of Police.

The goal of the council, he said, is to improve policing services to the residents and visitors of the state. The group both supports and opposes legislation related to policing. In recent months, the council has spoken out against repealing the death penalty.

The council is also working to standardize hiring and training practices to ensure departments are hiring the best officers for the job.

Horvath became a member of the council in 2001, when he was promoted to chief in Dover.

The transition from Dover to Lewes wasn't necessarily easy, he said, as small-town departments offer different challenges than one of the largest departments in the state.

“I got a new respect for small-town police chiefs,” he said. “Small-town police chiefs work hard and have different challenges. I feel like I'm a good pick for this new job because I'll understand the struggles of a larger department's chief and understand the things a small-town chief does, too.”

In Dover, Horvath had a police force of 92 officers with an office staff of nine. In Lewes, he has 13 officers with a staff of one.

Mayor Ted Becker said Horvath has done a good job over the last six years. More recently, Horvath has aided with the renovation of the police department offices to ensure they are up to current standards.

“Overall, I'd say he's done a good job,” Becker said. “The city police department is in good shape moving forward.”

Horvath thanks Becker and council for supporting his department during his time with the city.

“I've said this in public before, Lewes is the nicest town in the state of Delaware,” he said. “I challenge anyone to beat that statement. Mayor and council are obviously extremely intelligent. There is no one here that ran for office to build their resume. They're here because they care about the town and have a dedication to the people.”

Becker said the city will advertise for a new chief of police, then go through the interview process to find the right person for the job.