Post Date: 08/27/2018 12:30 PM

Wilmington is making plans for new police and fire academies

Wilmington Mayor Mike Purzycki, Chief of Police Robert J. Tracy, and Chief of Fire Michael Donohue today announced that Wilmington will soon be seeking candidates to become police officers or firefighters. A Resolution was approved by City Council last Thursday night authorizing the City Administration to commence new police and fire academies in early 2019. However, recruitment for candidates will begin shortly.

The Mayor and Chiefs are urging potential candidates to update their resumes and prepare for extensive application and training processes prior to the opening of the academies. They noted that being hired as a Wilmington police officer or firefighter is not easy, but it is an extremely rewarding form of public service. The police academy will be the 99th in the City’s history and the fire academy will be the 40th.

“We know that it takes a special individual to risk his or her life in service to the larger community,” said Mayor Purzycki, “and I have the highest regard for the men and women who do just that for Wilmington each and every day. They serve our City with dedication and distinction. I can think of few careers that are more challenging and rewarding at the same time.”

Staffing for both the Police and Fire Departments is currently below 95% of the authorized or budgeted levels (due to retirements and other forms of attrition), which is the trigger that enables the City to schedule new academies to replenish personnel. The authorized strength of the Fire Department is 156 with 149 positions currently staffed, while the authorized strength of the Police Department is 314 with 299 positions currently staffed. The exact number of recruits needed for each department will be determined as the opening of the academies draws closer.

Details for the 99th Wilmington Police Academy are as follows :

Application period will be open from August 31, 2018 through October 19, 2018

Physical and written testing will occur in late October through mid-November

Academy is scheduled to begin in February of 2019

Academy recruits are scheduled to graduate in July, 2019

For information about becoming a Wilmington police officer, contact M/Sgt. David Prado at 302.576.3177 or by email at David.Prado@cj.state.de.us.

Details for the 40th Wilmington Fire Academy are as follows :

Application period will be open from September 4, 2018 through October 12, 2018

The opening date of the fire academy and the anticipated date for graduation will be announced shortly.

For information about becoming a Wilmington firefighter, contact Battalion Chief John Looney at 302.576.3179 or by email at john.looney@cj.state.de.us.

The initial screening process for both academies will include a written exam, a physical agility test, and interview panels that will include a Chief’s interview.

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News and information from the Office of Wilmington Mayor Mike Purzycki

John Rago

Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy and Communications

Mobile: (302) 420-7928

Email: jrago@WilmingtonDE.gov

Paul Ford Jr.

Communications Specialist

Mobile: (302) 530-2171

Email: plford@WilmingtonDE.gov



Dan Sanchez

Digital & Social Media Manager

Mobile: (302) 605-0026

Email: dsanchez@WilmingtonDE.gov