New Castle, DE – Today, New Castle County Executive Matt Meyer, along with public safety co-chairs Councilmen Jea Street and Bill Bell, announced a bold proposal that will increase the authorized strength of New Castle County’s police department from 400 to 415 officers. The proposal will be introduced in council on November 24.
“This passing of this ordinance is critical to the health of our department,” said County Executive Meyer. “Over the past four years, we’ve been able to develop specialized units such as the behavioral health unit, which provides benefits to our residents, but removes officers from the street. This ordinance will allow us to address these staffing challenges.”
The additional officers will come from the 48th New Castle County Police academy class.
There are currently 368 sworn officers in New Castle County, with 22 in the current academy. 26 officers have either retired or resigned in 2020 with another 64 officers who will meet retirement eligibility in 2021.
“This is a necessary step we need to take to protect our communities,” said Councilman Street. “The facts are; our county is growing, especially below the canal and our officers are addressing policing needs outside the realm of traditional police work to assist our most vulnerable, so we’re taking this opportunity to invest in our department for the future.”
The ordinance is expected to be introduced at Council on Tuesday, November 24. Ordinance No. 20-122 can be found HERE.