Wilmington plans to disband community-dedicated officers

Wilmington is planning to break up a 7-month-old police unit formed to improve community relations.

Police Chief Bobby Cummings said during the city council’s public safety committee meeting Monday that the command staff has decided to disband the unit. He says 16 officers of the unit will be reassigned to patrol high-crime areas.

He says the move is part of an effort to examine how resources are being used to combat violence in the community.

Community policing officers were regarded as the liaisons between residents and the department. The officers were responsible for attending community meetings and strengthening relationships at the neighborhood level. Cummings says captains will now primarily handle that responsibility.