DRBA Selects New Police Administrator

Today, Delaware River and Bay Authority (DRBA) officials announced the promotion of Joseph Bryant, Jr. of Bear, Delaware, to be the bi-state agency’s new Police Administrator, succeeding Col. John R. McCarnan who retired in January after 16 years of service to the Authority. Prior to his promotion, Mr. Bryant served as the department’s Deputy Police Administrator for the past 10 years.
Joseph Bryant, Jr. has more than 34 years of progressive law enforcement experience, including more than 25 years of police supervisory and management roles with two major law enforcement agencies. “I am honored to have the opportunity to lead the Authority’s nationally accredited police department,” Bryant said. “Given the unique dual-state jurisdiction and policing powers of the department, it’s a great opportunity to use all the skills and knowledge that I’ve gained throughout my law enforcement career. I look forward to working with the dedicated men and women of the DRBA Police Department as we continue our mission of public service, crime prevention, and highway safety.”
In 1976, Mr. Bryant began his law enforcement career as a police officer in the New Castle County Police Department. During the next 23 years, Mr. Bryant quickly rose through the ranks of the New Castle County Police Department. Prior to retiring from New Castle County in 2000, Mr. Bryant was promoted from Captain to Major in 1998, responsible for the Operational Section of the Department and the Human Resources Unit. During his tenure with the New Castle County Police Department, Mr. Bryant managed nearly every major police unit in the department, including the Uniform Patrol Section, Drug Enforcement Unit, Community Service Unit, Internal Affairs Unit, K-9 Units, and Traffic Services Unit.
“Joe has a unique combination of law enforcement experience, operational skills, and leadership abilities that will prove invaluable to the Delaware River and Bay Authority,” said Jim Walls, Chief Operations Officer at the DRBA. “He has a tremendous record of accomplishments and we are fortunate to have someone of his caliber leading our police department.” More than 50 individuals responded to the Authority’s search to lead the department of 67 sworn officers and support personnel. The Authority arranged for the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) to participate in this comprehensive candidate assessment and selection process.
Mr. Bryant earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Delaware. He also has received specialized professional training at the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia; the Senior Management Institute for Police Executives at Harvard Law School; and International Association of Chief of Police Seminars. Mr. Bryant has also been heavily involved in the public safety community, currently serving on the Board for the Delaware Police Chiefs’ Foundation and as a member of the Delaware Police Chiefs’ Council, Salem County (NJ) Police Chiefs’ Council, and Cape May County (NJ) Police Chiefs’ Council. He also serves as Vice Chairman of the Delaware Chapter of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives.
During his career, Mr. Bryant has earned numerous awards and citations, including Delaware River and Bay Authority Police Officer of the Year; Chief’s Citation Award; National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives Officer of the Year Award; VFW Officer of the Year Award; Community Policing Award; Six Departmental Commendations of Merit; and Three Distinguished Unit Citations.
Mr. Bryant is an active member and Trustee Board member of Bethel AME Church in Wilmington; New Castle County Community Partnership; and the Wilmington Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. Married for 33 years, Joe and Sharon Marie reside in Bear, Delaware and have two children, Charita and Joseph, III; one daughter-in-law, Yvonne; and two grandchildren, Chloe and Joseph IV.
About the DRBA
The Delaware River & Bay Authority is a bi-state governmental agency created by Compact in 1962. It owns and operates the Delaware Memorial Bridge, the Cape May- Lewes Ferry, the Three Forts Ferry Crossing and the Business Centre in Salem, NJ. The Delaware River & Bay Authority manages corporate and aviation properties through its economic development powers – two airports in New Jersey (Millville Airport and Cape May Airport) and three in Delaware (New Castle Airport, Civil Air Terminal and Delaware Airpark). All DRBA operating revenues are generated through the bridge, ferry and airport facilities.