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Wilmington Mayor Mike Purzycki, Chief of Police Wilfredo Campos and Chief of Fire John Looney today announced the opening of the application process for this summer’s Youth Public Safety Academy, which will be held from Monday, June 17 through Friday, June 28, with the support of JPMorgan Chase.

The 2024 Youth Public Safety Academy is a two-week program for young people between the ages of 13 and 17. The academy will be held Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. This is a FREE program which also includes breakfast and lunch for participants. Class size is limited, so apply today by visiting WilmingtonDE.gov/YouthAcademy. Applications are due by 5 p.m. on May 15.
 
Building on the success of past WPD Youth Police Academies and last year’s Youth Public Safety Academy, this year’s program will again be a joint academy that will include members of the Wilmington Fire Department. The goal of the joint Youth Public Safety Academy is to strengthen relationships between our City’s public safety professionals and the people and communities they serve, while providing Wilmington’s young people with a better understanding of the challenges and responsibilities of the work of police officers and firefighters.
 
“We are excited to again offer this wonderful program, and to give youth in our community the chance to meet and learn from our first responders,” said Police Chief Campos. “Our free two-week academy is packed with opportunities to learn, engage and explore career possibilities in public safety and public service.”
 
“The opportunity to partner with Wilmington Police Department once again for the Youth Public Safety Academy is outstanding,” said Fire Chief Looney. “The academy is an excellent means of providing teenagers with a multifaceted approach to learn about careers in public safety. The academy provides teenagers a positive interaction with police officers and firefighters as role models and mentors.”
 
Participants will attend a mock police and fire academy involving role-playing, teambuilding exercises, hands-on activities, presentations, and field trips. In addition, there will also be a physical training component. The curriculum features a range of topics, including conflict resolution, fingerprinting, crime scene investigation, fire safety, drug awareness, traffic and criminal law, building searches, K9 Unit operations, explosive and bomb investigations, physical agility training (push-ups, sit-ups, light calisthenics), first aid, gang awareness, a discussion about the juvenile justice system, arson investigations, report writing and internet safety.
 
“I continue to be encouraged by the many young people in Wilmington who aspire to a career in public service as a first responder,” said Mayor Purzycki. “We have an excellent police department and an excellent fire department,” the Mayor continued, “and the teens who participate in the combined Youth Public Safety Academy have much to learn from the fine men and women who are already committed to these noble professions. At the same time, this session is invaluable for our officers and firefighters to learn more about how young people think and about how they interpret issues and circumstances related to safety.”
 
The Mayor thanked Chief Campos and Chief Looney and their teams for again organizing and implementing this joint effort. He also expressed his hope that young people in the City will continue to take advantage of this special opportunity to learn more about what it means to be a first responder in Wilmington, including the challenges and risks a career in public safety present as well as the many rewards it can offer.
 
This year’s academy is being presented with assistance from JPMorgan Chase, which provided support for last summer’s Youth Police Academy. Mayor Purzycki, Chief Campos, and Chief Looney today thanked JPMorgan Chase for its continuing commitment to Wilmington and the residents and businesses of Delaware’s largest City.
 
“At JPMorgan Chase we are proud to once again support both the WPD and the WFD. The Youth Public Safety Academy offers our city’s youth a hands-on opportunity to engage with first responders and learn about the important work they do, and we hope this experience might inspire some to pursue a career in public service,” said Don Mell, State Lead, and Jeff Pilla, Wilmington Site Manager for JPMorgan Chase.
 
If you have questions about the youth police academy, please contact Sgt. Brian McCanney at
[email protected] or (302) 388-1470.