Chief Kenneth McLaughlin began his law enforcement career in 1989 with the Ocean City, MD Police Department.  He is a graduate of the Delaware State Police Academy and the Delaware Corrections Academy.  Chief McLaughlin served with both the Selbyville and Bethany Beach police departments before being appointed Chief of Police for the Town of Ocean View in May of 2001 after competing in a nationwide search. 

Chief McLaughlin has received recognition for outstanding leadership by groups such as Mothers Against Drunk Driving, Sussex County Police Chief’s Council, The National Society of the Sons of The American Revolution, the Kiwanis Club, Special Olympics Delaware, atTack addiction, Fraternal Order of Police, and the Delaware League of Local Governments.  In 2005, Chief McLaughlin was named the Delaware Police Chief of The Year. 

The cornerstone of Chief McLaughlin’s leadership lies in his commitment to community policing through the strong relationships he has fostered with partners in the community as well as those in the criminal justice system.

Chief McLaughlin has been instrumental in establishing state-wide guidelines and training in the areas of police response to medical and mental health emergencies. In 2014, Chief McLaughlin initiated the first police Naloxone program in Delaware.  He has responded to dozens of overdose emergencies and has personally administered naloxone in the field.

Chief McLaughlin currently serves as a member of the Prescription Opioid Settlement Distribution Commission and the Drug Overdose Fatality Review Commission.

Chief McLaughlin is a graduate of the FBI National Academy at Quantico, the FBI Law Enforcement Executive Development School and The Police Supervisory School at Penn State University.