POST Leads National Session on Officer Fatigue, Expands Instructor Development

DOVER, Del. - The Delaware Police Officer Standards and Training Commission (POST) is advancing officer wellness and public safety through national leadership on fatigue management and continued investment in law enforcement training across the state.

On April 21, POST Executive Director Sean Moriarty co-presented at the 2026 Lifesavers Conference on Roadway Safety in Baltimore, a national gathering of highway safety professionals, law enforcement leaders, and researchers. Moriarty joined Dr. Steve James and Brett Cowell to present "Dangerous Driving: Tired Cops and Cognitive Impairment Screening," a session examining how fatigue affects officer decision-making, performance, and safety.

Dr. James outlined the science of sleep and the effects of sleep deprivation, while Moriarty highlighted how law agencies are applying that research in practice. His remarks focused on fatigue management strategies, including restorative rest policies designed to support officer health and operational readiness.

"This work is about giving officers the tools and policies they need to perform at their best while protecting their health and the safety of the public," Moriarty said.

The session also included a review of the Delaware State Police Fatigue Management Policy and the Delaware Police Accreditation Commission's (DPAC) adoption of mandatory fatigue management, restorative rest policies, and wellness standards as part of its statewide accreditation program.

Additional panelists included retired California Highway Patrol Assistant Chief Ike Iketani, who discussed cognitive impairment screening, and researchers also shared findings from a recent Delaware State Police fatigue study.

This presentation is part of an ongoing national effort, with the team previously presenting at the International Association of Chiefs of Police and the FBI National Academy. Their next session is scheduled for May 22 at the Society of Evidence-Based Policing Conference in Washington, D.C.

Left to right, POST Executive Director Sean Moriarty, Dr. Steve James, Brett Cowell, and Ike Iketani at the 2026 Lifesavers Conference on Roadway Safety in Baltimore, Maryland.

POST Expands Statewide Instructor Training

POST also continues to strengthen law enforcement training capacity across Delaware. From April 13 to 17, POST partnered with the New Castle County Police Department to deliver a Certified Instructor Course at the Lt. Joseph Szczerba Police Academy. The program prepares officers to deliver consistent, high-quality training statewide.

Participants received instruction in adult learning, classroom management, lesson development, and evaluation techniques. Graduates were granted provisional instructor authority, pending final approval by the POST Commission at its May 18 meeting.

The course was led by POST Master Instructors Aaron Olicker, Will Smith, John Piser, and Sean Moriarty. New Castle County Police Colonel James Leonard also joined participants to underscore the importance of instructor development in building the next generation of training leaders.

Graduates of the POST Certified Instructor Course held April 13-17, 2026, at the Lt. Joseph Szczerba Police Academy, pictured with NCCPD Colonel James Leonard and POST Master Instructors Aaron Olicker, Will Smith, John Piser, and Executive Director Sean Moriarty.
ABOUT THE POLICE OFFICER STANDARDS AND TRAINING COMMISSION

The Police Officer Standards and Training Commission (POST), a division of the Department of Safety and Homeland Security (DSHS), oversees standards and training for all police officers in Delaware. POST aims to improve the professionalism and behavior of officers by setting qualifications for recruits, education and training requirements, and training standards. POST advises the Delaware Police Accreditation Commission (DPAC), provides guidelines for local oversight boards, and investigates potential officer misconduct relative to certification.