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1. What is the process to be hired as a police officer?

Our hiring process consists of a written examination (conducted on a computer in a monitored setting), physical fitness test, structured oral interview, background investigation, polygraph examination, Chief's interview, psychological interview and medical physical exam.  The entire process, with specifics about each component, can be found here.

2. I am already a certified police officer. Do you accept lateral transfers?

We do accept lateral transfers. See the answers below for your specific situation.  

• If you are already certified as a police officer in Delaware:
  • After applying through the link on this page, you will go directly to the background investigation phase.  There is no need to take a written examination.  You will then complete the remaining steps of the hiring process as outlined on this site.
• If you are certified as a police officer in a state other than Delaware:
  • You must apply through the link on this page.
  • You will be required to take the standardized written exam given to non-certified applicants.  This is required by state regulations.
    • The exam will be administered at a convenient time for the applicant and the applicant will not have to wait for a specific exam date.
  • After taking the written exam, you will go directly to the background investigation phase.  You will then complete the remaining steps of the hiring process as outlined on this site.
  • To become certified as a police officer in Delaware, the certified applicant's training records from the current state of certification will be sent to the Delaware Council on Police Training ("COPT").  The COPT will compare the training the applicant has received to the training requirements in Delaware.  If the applicant needs more than 40% of the minimum number of hours of training required in the State of Delaware, then the applicant will have to go through an entire police academy.  We have had police officers lateral from both Pennsylvania and Maryland (among other states) and the applicants did not have to attend an entire academy.  The applicant will be taught (either internally or during an academy class) the specific areas that are identified as needing training (ie. Delaware criminal and traffic law) to complete the requirements for Delaware COPT certification. 
  • If the certified applicant's training is through Pennsylvania Act 120 and the applicant did not work as a police officer, the applicant may still be required to attend a full police academy.
  • A determination of a certified applicant's training requirements cannot be completed without filing an application for employment.
• The starting salary for a lateral officer is the same as a new officer as advertised on this site.

Further information can be found on our recruiting page.

3. Is there an age minimum or maximum to apply?

By Delaware state regulations and City of Newark ordinance, you must be 21 upon date of academy graduation to work as a police officer.

There is no age maximum.  However, retirement is mandatory at age 55.  You must serve for a minimum of 5 years to earn a pension.

4. What is the hiring bonus and when is it paid?

No prior police service: The City will provide a $5,000 hiring bonus to new hires that do not qualify for the Prior Sworn Police Officer bonus detailed below.  

Prior Sworn Police Officers: The City will provide a $20,000 hiring bonus to new hires that are Delaware Council on Police Training ("COPT") certified police officers OR are Delaware police academy exempt based on their police certification in another state.  The determination of academy exemption is made by the Delaware COPT after submission of training records.  

The hiring bonus is payable upon completion of field training (approximately 9-12 months after date of hire for non-certified officers and 6-12 weeks after Delaware certification for certified officers).

5. Do police officers take their vehicles home?

The City currently provides take home vehicles for some police officers.  The Newark City Council has approved a take home vehicle program for all police officers.  Additional vehicles have been ordered to increase the size of the fleet.  All police officers are expected to have take home vehicles by early 2024.

6. What is your tattoo policy?

We allow tattoos visible to the public while on-duty, except on the face, neck or hand (a tattoo or brand symbolic of a civil union or marriage on the ring finger is permitted with approval).  We prohibit tattoos, body art, or brands that are extremist, indecent or sexist regardless of location on the body. Tattoos, body art, or brands that advocate or symbolize gang affiliation, supremacist, or extremist groups, or drug use, are also prohibited.

7. What is your facial hair policy?

We allow officers to have facial hair.  Mustache, goatee or complete beards are the only types of facial hair allowed.  They must be finely groomed and neatly trimmed and the neck must be clean shaven.  The facial hair may not be longer than 1/2 inch.

8. I don't have 60 college credits, but i have military service. Can I be hired?

We require 30 college credits with military service.  Prior military service is defined as serving two or more years of a commitment. A commitment is defined as either three or more years of active duty, or six or more years of guard or reserve service.

9. I don't have 60 college credits, but I have prior police service. Can I be hired?

The college requirements may be waived by the City Manager and Chief of Police for CERTIFIED POLICE OFFICERS with at least 18 months active police experience after graduation from a qualifying police academy 

10. I live more than 100 miles from Newark, DE. Is there a special streamlined hiring process?

For candidates who travel more than 100 miles from their home to Newark, DE to apply for the position of police officer, we will attempt to schedule parts of the process on the same day, thereby reducing the number of trips to Newark required to complete the process. Candidates who meet the 100-mile criteria will receive notification prior to the written examination from the HR Department.

11. Do you have a residency requirement?

We do not have any residency requirement to apply, to be hired or to work for Newark PD.  We have officers who live not only in Delaware, but southern New Jersey, Maryland and Pennsylvania.

12. What is the physical fitness requirement?

Our physical fitness requirement can be found here. After passing the written examination, candidates will be given information about taking the physical fitness test ("PT test") with our contracted service provider. Candidates can set-up an appointment to take the test at their convenience.  The PT test must be completed before the start of the background investigation.  The background investigation may begin anywhere from 3-8 weeks or longer after the written test.  

13. What police academy will I attend?

In general, recruit police officers attend the Delaware State Police Academy in Dover or the New Castle County Police Academy in Newark.  While the DSP academy is a residential academy where recruits come home on the weekends, recruits commute from their home to the New Castle County Police academy every weekday.

A new recruit officer cannot request a specific academy.  The recruit officer is generally sent to whichever academy is starting soonest after the recruit's hire date.

Recruit officers are paid full salary and receive all benefits during academy training, including accrual of pension time.

14. I have more questions. Who do I contact?

If you have further questions not answered on this site, please call our recruiting information line at (302) 366-7100 x3499 or send us an email.