The New Castle County Division of Police has released a review of their achievements and challenges faced in 2023.
- Overall Performance: The Division’s officers handled over 99,000 calls for service during the year.
- Criminal Charges: The officers initiated numerous investigations which resulted in over 18,000 criminal charges.
- Vehicle Thefts: There was a significant increase in vehicle thefts, with 795 reported cases. This marks over a 100 percent increase from the previous year.
- Community Engagement: The Community Services Unit (CSU) and officers organized or participated in over 350 community events. Highlight events included Trunk or Treat, National Night Out, and Coats and Cops. These events received record turnouts, evidencing strong community engagement.
- Citizen’s Police Academy: The CSU is accepting applications for the Citizen’s Police Academy scheduled for February 2024. So far, 225 members have graduated from the academy, illustrating community involvement in policing efforts.
- Vehicle Theft Prevention: In response to the rise in vehicle thefts, the CSU distributed 550 wheel locks to help mitigate this issue across the county.
- Mental Health Initiatives: The Mental Health Unit made 1,780 contacts with individuals experiencing mental health issues. Additionally, the Behavioral Health Unit/Co-Responder Units addressed 604 calls, and the Hero Help Program enrolled 37 new participants.
- Officer Recruitment and Training: The Division celebrated the graduation of officers from the 50th police academy and initiated the 51st academy. They also introduced new recruitment benefits, including a lateral transfer program and hiring bonuses ranging from $15,000 to $25,000.