A high-ranking police executive is stepping down after a 26-year career with the state police.

Maj. Downes retires from state police
By TERRI SANGINITI • The News Journal • February 14, 2009

A high-ranking police executive is stepping down after a 26-year career with the state police.


Maj. Harry W. Downes Jr., 47, who oversaw human resources and the training academy at the agency, retires today, said Sgt. Joshua Bushweller, a state police spokesman.

"Maj. Downes served the citizens of Delaware extremely well and worked with the executive team to advance the state police in a number of different arenas," state police Col. Thomas F. MacLeish said.

Those included recruitment and retention of troopers, training and preparing the state's law-enforcement officers for the diverse field of policing and developing the best practices toward traffic safety.

"We are very happy for him and wish him the best in his future endeavors," MacLeish said.

Downes served in his executive post since Oct. 1, 2005.

Prior to his executive appointment, Downes was director of training, a domestic violence coordinator and in the rural community policing and narcotics unit, where he was recognized by court officials as an expert in the field of illicit drug activity.

Downes' career came under a cloud in August when he was placed on administrative leave in the wake of a criminal and internal investigation for alleged misconduct.

He was cleared three months later and restored to his post. The nature of the allegations was not made public.

Contact Terri Sanginiti at 324-2771 or tsanginiti@delawareonline.com.