Members of the 103rd Wilmington Police Academy are sworn in before family, friends, and community leaders
Wilmington Mayor Mike Purzycki and Police Chief Wilfredo Campos today announced the completion of the 103rd Wilmington Police Academy, which began in July. The ceremony was held at the JPMorgan Chase Building and included family, friends, and supporters of the five new Wilmington Police officers who will begin their new assignments with the Uniformed Services Division on Monday.
The addition of these new police officers brings the total number of officers on the police force, which has an authorized strength – or budgeted police officer positions – of 305 members, to just under 285. In November, the department closed the application process and is in the process of selecting recruits for the 104th Wilmington Police Academy, which is due to begin in February 2025.
The application process for the 103rd Wilmington Police Academy drew 77 applicants, and 80% of those selected are minority recruits – continuing efforts through recent academy classes to further increase the diversity of the department.
The new Wilmington Police officers are Trevor Holland; Kha-lil Jones; Julian Lopez-Martinez; Anthony Malvestuto; and Raja Mitchell.
The new officers will each be assigned to work with a more senior police officer who will serve as their field training officer for at least six months to develop experience on patrol.
"Both Chief Campos and I are grateful to this class of new officers for choosing a career of such importance to the residents of Wilmington and to everyone who works in or visits our City,” said Mayor Purzycki. “This can be a challenging, stressful and, at times, unforgiving job, but it is also one of the most rewarding forms of public service there is. It takes a special individual to dedicate his or her life to serve as an officer of the law, a noble profession that requires courage, stamina, and concern for others to be successful. I have no doubt that the young men swearing an oath today to serve, protect, and defend our communities will make the department and the people of Wilmington proud even as the nature of police work here and elsewhere continues to evolve. They have my admiration and support as they join what I continue to believe is one of the finest police departments in the nation.”
Chief Campos applauded the recruits for their accomplishments, and spoke about the training they have received in each of the layered crime strategies that have been adopted by the Wilmington Police Department.
“Each of these recruits answered the call to serve others through a career in law enforcement, and we could not be more grateful for their decision to join our department and serve Delaware’s largest city,” said Chief Campos. “Our police department has made great strides in enhancing public safety in Wilmington. We are excited to welcome these newest police officers to the WPD family, and we look forward to working with them to build on this progress.”
Chief Campos acknowledge the leadership of Major Anthony Bowers and Captain Andrea Janvier, and the staff in the WPD Human Resources Division, for their continued success in increasing the diversity of the department through attracting applicants and recruits with a range of racial and ethnic backgrounds.
The Chief also noted some of the most critical elements of the recruits’ training – surrounding procedural justice, law enforcement legitimacy, cultural diversity, and de-escalation.
Graduates who received special recognition today for extraordinary accomplishments during the 103rd Police Academy include: Julian Lopez-Martinez received the Chief’s Trophy, the Attorney General’s Award, the Academic Excellence Award, the Physical Fitness Award and the Top Marksmanship Award; and Anthony Malvestuto received the Wilmington Retired Police Meritorious Award and the Lt. James A. Diana Award.
Patrolwoman Trasina Miller, who graduated from the 102nd Wilmington Police Academy, received the Leonard Kittner Award at today’s ceremony, which recognizes the outstanding body of work on the part of a police officer who graduated from the previous academy class.
