Mayor Mike Purzycki and Chief Wilfredo Campos Announce Start of 103rd Wilmington Police Academy

July 17, 2024

**Today, 6 recruits begin the intensive training program**

Wilmington Mayor Mike Purzycki and Chief of Police Wilfredo Campos announced the commencement of the 103rd Wilmington Police Academy today. The six recruits, who have successfully completed a comprehensive application and selection process, will now embark on the department’s rigorous training program, forming the latest academy class in Delaware’s largest city.

Selected from a pool of 77 applicants, 83% of this class comprises minority recruits, including three Black males, one Hispanic male, and one Hispanic female, alongside one White male. This continues the department’s trend of increasing diversity through targeted recruitment efforts.

“We are excited to welcome our latest Police Academy class and to prepare them for successful careers in public service in Wilmington,” said Chief Campos. “I appreciate the continued leadership of Major Anthony Bowers, Captain Andrea Janvier, and our Human Resources Division and Recruitment Team for their year-round efforts to recruit future Wilmington police officers.”

Mayor Purzycki and Chief Campos congratulated the recruits on their selection after a thorough application process, which included a written exam, physical ability test, interview panels (including a Chief’s interview), and psychological and medical evaluations.

“I firmly believe that Wilmington has one of the finest police departments in the country, with dedicated men and women who utilize the latest crime prevention and deterrence methods to serve and protect our community,” said Mayor Purzycki. “There has never been a better time to begin a career in law enforcement in our city, as the community increasingly recognizes and respects the interconnectedness of public safety and public service. Today, you take the first steps toward entering a noble profession, and I wish you much success on your journey.”

The recruits’ daily schedule will begin at 5:30 a.m. with two hours of physical fitness, followed by eight hours of classroom instruction. Their training will cover Delaware criminal and traffic law, patrol functions, procedural justice, weapons training, de-escalation, and crisis intervention tactics.

“From community engagement and de-escalation to investigative techniques and legal matters, the Wilmington Police Academy covers a wide range of critical topics,” said Chief Campos. “We are proud of this intensive training program, designed to prepare our future officers for the various incidents they will encounter when they begin their patrol duties.”

The WPD Human Resources Division used a variety of methods to promote the application process, including attending career fairs, programs at high schools, colleges (including Historically Black Colleges and Universities and the City’s HBCU Week), and visiting community centers. Recruitment teams also collaborated with the faith community and other community-based organizations.

As this academy begins, the Wilmington Police Department is also accepting applications from already certified police officers looking to join the department. The deadline for applications is July 19. For more information and to apply online, visit [www.WilmingtonDe.gov/CityJobs](http://www.WilmingtonDe.gov/CityJobs).

For more information about the Wilmington Police Department’s hiring process or to contact a recruiter about future hiring processes, please visit [here]