Delaware’s largest county to add police officers

The New Castle County Police Department has been awarded a $1.2 million federal grant to hire six police officers over the next three years.

Under the conditions of the grant, announced today in Wilmington, New Castle County must retain the funded positions for at least one year after the three years of federal funding have ended.

“This is very welcome news for New Castle County,” said County Executive Paul Clark. “We have been actively trying to hire more qualified police officers as quickly as we can. This grant will give us the opportunity to put more officers on the street, helping us keep our citizens safe without increasing their tax burden.”

The grant is another important step in the county’s efforts to hire additional police. The county recently hired three already-certified officers and is continuing to accept and review hundreds of applications for a new police academy class planned for this fall.

The grant is among more than $243 million awarded nationwide to 238 law enforcement agencies and municipalities for the hiring of new officers and deputies.