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POLICE ATHLETIC LEAGUE, INC. (PAL)
The Police Athletic League, INC. (PAL) Meeting was held on April 28, 2021 at 12:00 p.m. at the Dover Public
Library with Chief Thomas A. Johnson, Jr. presiding. Members of the PAL Board in attendance were Kevin
Baird, Esq,, Dr. Chandra Jackson and Dr. Wilma Mishoe.
PAL PROGRAM UPDATES / NEW BUSINESS
Patrolman First Class (PFC) Anthony Smith, PAL Coordinator stated that “Inaugural Outrunning Childhood
Cancer 5K Run/Walk originally scheduled for 2020 will be held, in partnership with the Ronald McDonald House,
on August 7, 2021 (Attachment #1) at Dover Police Department. PFC Smith further mentioned that this 5K would be
held while our academy is in progress and the recruits will run in the race as well and we will most likely have
assistance from Delaware State Police. Dr. Wilma Mishoe moved to accept the date and location, seconded by
Mr. Kevin Baird and unanimously carried.
PFC Smith announced that the Dover Police Youth Academy was previously a two-week program held at the
Elizabeth W. Murphey School but changes were made for the 2021 program. This year the program will be two
individual sessions, each consisting of one week with 20 youth in each session.
Responding to Mr. Baird, PFC Smith stated that the program will consist of education, sports, life skills and
community service and that the age range is typically 8 to 12 years old. PFC Smith further mentioned that a
strategic recruitment is being discussed due to the limit of 20 youth per session.
PFC presented a picture of the uniform and cost of the uniforms (Attachment #2). The uniforms will consist of a t shirt,
baseball cap and shorts. The approximate cost of the uniforms is $1,577.00 along with miscellaneous other
expenses not to exceed $2,500.00. Chief Thomas A. Johnson, Jr. moved to approve the expenditure of no more
than $2,500.00 for the Youth Academy, seconded by Dr. Chandra Jackson and unanimously carried.
Responding to Dr. Mishoe, a typical day for the academy will be education in the am, followed by physical fitness,
lunch (they will provide their own) and then more education. Most education will have a police component but
will try to add additional training to cover all interests along as it involves discipline. Water survival will also be
taught at the Delaware State University as many of our youth do not know how to swim. PFC Smith stated that
although a week is probably not long enough to teach someone to swim, they will learn to be comfortable and
skills to be able to survive in a water involved incident. Responding to Dr. Mishoe, PFC Smith stated the YMCA
is not an option for the Youth Academy due to their membership and the pool would not be free of cost. He
further mentioned that Lake Forest was an option, but will most likely not be used due to travel. PFC Smith
explained that he is working with the Capital School District to have their food truck come to the academy each
day to provide lunches for those participants that forget lunch or cannot afford to provide their own.
PFC Smith mentioned that discussions would take place regarding a Law Enforcement Explorers program; this
is a longer program than the Youth Academy and will be different from other explorer programs as it will be for
those interested in any public service career, not just law enforcement or criminal justice.
Discussion moved on to insurance riders for the PAL events. Prior to 2019, the City of Dover, provided the riders
for PAL programs until former City Manager Donna Mitchell stated that PAL had to provide their own, which
was an unexpected expense. It was further discussed that perhaps a sit down with current City Manager Randy
Robertson to see if he would be open to the City going back to providing the riders. In the meantime, a motion
was made by Chief Johnson to allow for the expenditure of up $1,500 for insurance for 2021 PAL events,
seconded by Mr. Baird and unanimously carried.
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POLICE ATHLETIC LEAGUE, INC. (PAL)
PAL Minutes
April 28, 2021
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OLD BUSINESS
Captain Kevin Kober, former Special Enforcement Unit (SEU) Commander stated that Lieutenant Paul Kuntzi is
the new SEU Commander but could not attend the meeting today so he was attending on his behalf. Captain
Kober mentioned that the City of Dover previously maintained the financial records for PAL as well as the
banking but do the structure of the league; it was more feasible for PAL to handle their own. A bank account was
opened and permission was given to PAL to spend up to $500 without permission from the Board. Chief Johnson
moved to continue past practice to allow for PAL to spend up to $500 without permission from the Board,
seconded by Dr. Mishoe and unanimously carried. Captain Kober further mentioned that there is a current bank
balance of approximately $5,000.00 with an additional $10,000.00 still being held by the City (PAL is in the
process of getting those funds turned over, once that happens, those funds will be deposited as well).
STRATEGIC PLANNING
Chief Johnson mentioned that the Dover Police Department is doubling the size of their Community Policing
Unit to include a second PAL Officer to assist PFC Smith. With the expansion of the unit, Chief Johnson stated
that he would like to start a Community Policing Foundation, which once established, the Police Athletic League
would fall under. Chief Johnson stated that without the support of the Police Athletic League Board, this new
foundation would not be possible and that public and private partnerships would also be necessary. Mr. Baird
stated that he would be in full support of the foundation. Both Dr. Jackson and Dr. Mishoe offered their support
as long as the right people were in place to run the foundation and to be careful with the selection of members.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Chief Johnson announced that the next PAL meeting will be on June 2, 2021 at Noon at a location to be
determined.
Dr. Mishoe stated that she is on the board of the Delaware Prostate Cancer Coalition and that the Pedal Away
Prostate Cancer event will take place on September 11, 2021.
Meeting adjourned at 1:01 p.m.
Attachments
Attachment #1 – Inaugural Outrunning Childhood Cancer 5K run/walk
Attachment #2 – Youth Academy Uniform and Costs