Chief Deputy Michellene M. Conte Recognized by Sheriff During Women’s History Month

Released: March 31, 2023

As part of Women’s History Month, Delaware County Sheriff Jerry L. Sanders, Jr. is recognizing Chief Deputy Michellene M. Conte for her contributions to the community, her accomplishments within the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office, and her years of distinguished service to the people of Delaware County.

Born and raised in Chester, a graduate of Chichester High School and Widener University, Chief Deputy Conte has served in the Sheriff’s Office since 2001, earning a series of promotions from Deputy to Sergeant to Lieutenant, before becoming the first female to hold the rank of Inspector. Chief Deputy Conte then broke another barrier in 2022, becoming the first female Chief Deputy since the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office was created in 1789—234 years ago!

Today, Chief Deputy Conte proudly serves under the direction of Sheriff Sanders, who also made history in becoming as the first African American Sheriff in the history of the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office.

“Chief Deputy Conte has set the bar high for professionalism in law enforcement,” said Sheriff Sanders. “Her experience and her dedication have unquestionably elevated this Office and I’m proud to have her as a key member of my staff.”

Over the years, Chief Deputy Conte has worked in the divisions of courts and transportation, the bench warrant unit, community affairs, the license to carry unit, the Honor Guard Unit—all while raising her three children: Philip, Mara, and Vincenzo. In addition, she has also worked as a part-time Police Officer in Delaware County for 15 years; currently serving as an officer in Bethel Township Police Department.

“I’m proud to have been born and raised in the City of Chester and I love Delaware County—I’m Delco through and through,” said Chief Deputy Conte. “It is an honor to continue to serve the County residents and I hope I have made a difference.”

One way in which Chief Deputy Conte has made a difference has been her role in driving the Office’s repeated accreditations from the Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association Accreditation Program. First earned in June of 2012 and maintained during subsequent re-accreditations in 2015, 2018 and 2021, she served a critical role as the Office’s accreditations manager, managing the complex process and driving improvements to processes and protocols.

The Delaware County Sheriff’s Office is now one of just five accredited Sheriff’s offices out of the 67 sheriff’s offices across Pennsylvania.

Accreditation by the Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association means the Sheriff’s Office has proven to have adopted reliable methods to improve essential management procedures; enhanced planning and innovative activities by all agency personnel; increased employee input, interaction and confidence in the agency; enlarged the outlook and viewpoints of managers, deputies and employees; and successfully improved methods for providing services to the community and has worked diligently to improve community relations.

Congratulations to Chief Deputy Conte for this well-earned recognition!