Wilmington Welcomes Ten New Police Officers Following 104th Academy Graduation

The graduating officers of the 104th Wilmington Police Academy stand together following their swearing-in ceremony at the JPMorgan Chase Building. (Photo courtesy of Wilmington Police Department)

WILMINGTON — Ten new police officers were officially sworn into the Wilmington Police Department on Friday, graduating as the latest class from the 104th Wilmington Police Academy.

The graduation ceremony, held at the JPMorgan Chase Building, drew family, friends, and supporters to celebrate the achievements of the recruits.

The new officers — Austyn Adcock, Christian Connor, Amanda Grieco, Dielle Holloman, Sierra E. Luckett, Armando Madera, Luis Peña, Angelique Radcliffe, Shalneka Ross, and Steven Thomas — will begin their assignments with the department’s Uniformed Services Division on Monday. Each will be paired with a veteran field training officer for at least six months to gain experience on patrol.

“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 addition of these officers brings the department’s staffing to just over 280, out of an authorized strength of 305. Recruitment for the next class, the 105th Wilmington Police Academy, has already begun and is expected to start later this year.

Police Chief Wilfredo Campos praised the recruits for completing a rigorous training program and noted their preparation in a variety of policing strategies.

“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 graduating from the academy was Joshua Joanis, a new officer with the Cheswold Police Department. Cheswold Police Chief Christopher Workman thanked Wilmington’s department for its collaboration.

“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 Chief 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 credited Major Andrea Janvier, Captain Matthew Rosaio, and the Human Resources Division for their continued efforts to increase department diversity and emphasized the academy’s focus on key policing principles, including procedural justice, law enforcement legitimacy, cultural diversity, and de-escalation.

Several graduates were honored for their outstanding performance during the academy. Angelique Radcliffe received the Physical Fitness Award; Steven Thomas earned the Chief’s Trophy; Christian Connor was presented with the Academic Excellence Award and the Attorney General’s Award; Shalneka Ross received the Lt. James A. Diana Award; and Joshua Joanis was awarded both the Top Marksmanship Award and the Wilmington Retired Police Meritorious Award.

In addition, Patrolman Julian Lopez-Martinez, a graduate of the 103rd Wilmington Police Academy, received the Leonard Kittner Award, which honors exceptional achievement by an officer from the previous academy class.