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Wilmington Mayor John Carney and Police Chief Wilfredo Campos today announced the completion of the 104th Wilmington Police Academy, which began in February. The ceremony was held at the JPMorgan Chase Building and included family, friends and supporters of the 10 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 over 280. In May, the department closed the application process and is in the process of selecting recruits for the 105th Wilmington Police Academy, which is due to begin later this year.
 
“I’m excited to welcome this new class of Wilmington Police officers to public service,” said Mayor John Carney. “These men and women have chosen a path of purpose, leadership, and responsibility—and they’ve done so at a time when strong, community-focused policing is more important than ever. The officers of the Wilmington Police Department are a vital presence in our neighborhoods—working every day to keep us safe, build trust through visibility and engagement, and help shape a stronger, more hopeful future for our city. We’re proud of their accomplishment and look forward to the positive impact they will have in every neighborhood they serve.”
 
The new Wilmington Police officers are Austyn Adcock; Christian Connor; Amanda Grieco; Dielle Holloman; Sierra E. Luckett; Armando Madera; Luis Peña; Angelique Radcliffe; Shalneka Ross; and Steven Thomas.
 
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.
 
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.
 
“We are grateful that each of these recruits answered the call to serve others through a career in law enforcement, and we are excited to welcome them to our agency,” said Chief Campos. “The Wilmington Police Department continues to make significant progress reducing crime and making our city safer, and our newest police officers will play a key role as we continue this important work.”
 
Also among the graduates is a new member of the Cheswold Police Department, Joshua Joanis.
 
“We are deeply grateful to Chief Campos and the Wilmington Police Department for their generosity in allowing our recruit officer to train at their academy and appreciate the time and effort the academy staff puts into preparing these officers for the rigorous demands of a law enforcement career,” said Cheswold Police Chief Christopher Workman. “Their support is a powerful reminder of the unity and shared purpose that connects law enforcement agencies, not just here in Delaware, but across the country. It’s through this kind of collaboration that we strengthen our communities and one another.”
 
Chief Campos also acknowledge the leadership of Major Andrea Janvier, Captain Matthew Rosaio 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. He also highlighted some of the most critical elements of the recruits’ training – surrounding procedural justice, law enforcement legitimacy, cultural diversity, and de-escalation.
 
Several graduates also received recognition today for extraordinary accomplishments during the 104th Police Academy. Angelique Radcliffe received the Physical Fitness Award; Steven Thomas received the Chief’s Trophy; Christian Connor received the Academic Excellence Award and the Attorney General’s Award; Shalneka Ross received the Lt. James A. Diana Award; and Joshua Joanis received the Top Marksmanship Award and the Wilmington Retired Police Meritorious Award.
 
Patrolman Julian Lopez-Martinez, who graduated from the 103rd 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.