Post Date: 01/31/2018 3:00 PM

Twenty-five recruits have begun training for a career as a City police officer

Wilmington Mayor Mike Purzycki and Police Chief Robert Tracy have announced the opening of the 98th Wilmington Police Academy, and 25 police cadets have begun a 23-week training academy in order to become City police officers. Half of the new class is composed of minority cadets, including five black males, three Hispanic males, and four females – one white, two black and one Asian. They are among nearly 200 applicants who applied last year to become officers, and first had to pass a 14-week pre-certification process in order to qualify to attend the academy.

Of the 25, five currently live in Wilmington while the others will have to move into the City after graduation in order to satisfy Wilmington’s five-year residency requirement.

The Mayor and Chief congratulated the cadets for making it through the initial screening process, which included a written exam, a physical agility test, and interview panels including a Chief’s interview, and wished the group well on their journey through the academy.

Chief Tracy said the Wilmington Police Academy is a rigorous process that prepares the cadets for a challenging yet rewarding career with the department. The cadets begin each morning at 5:30 a.m. with two hours of physical fitness followed by eight hours of classroom time. In addition to studying Delaware criminal and traffic law, patrol functions and procedural justice, all cadets receive training in weapons, de-escalation and crisis intervention tactics over the course of nearly six months.

When the 98th Academy class graduates on June 29, 2018, the Wilmington Police Department will once more be operating with a full contingent of officers.

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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