Police budget hearing underscores crime reductions, tech spending and staffing questions

The Wilmington Finance Committee resumed its budget hearings with a detailed presentation of the Police Department’s proposed FY2026 general fund budget. Deputy OMB Director Winkler and Police Chief Robert Campos described a $69.5 million general fund budget that emphasizes technology and community programs while reflecting modest overall changes to staffing and personnel costs.

Chief Campos opened by citing year‑to‑date reductions in shooting incidents and murders compared with 2017 and the prior year—figures he presented to illustrate recent crime‑reduction trends—and summarized community outreach and partner programs the department administers.

Why it matters: the police budget funds front‑line public safety, crime‑prevention initiatives and technology purchases; the proposed plan reflects both operating constraints (removal of a one‑time retention bonus included in FY25) and targeted investments in analytics, real‑time monitoring and community programming.

Key points from the presentation and Q&A

- Budget totals and staffing: the proposed FY26 general fund budget is $69.5 million, up about 1% from FY25. Personal services account for 84% of the budget. The department’s authorized sworn strength is 305 officers; actual strength reported was lower (273 at the time of the hearing), with about 22 vacancies and roughly 10 recruits currently in the academy.

- Technology and contracted services: MS&E is up roughly $789,000, driven by consultant costs (including $275,000 for the biennial promotional process and $150,000 to implement Telestaff scheduling software), increased maintenance contracts, license plate reader and ShotSpotter costs, and body‑worn camera licensing.

- Real‑time crime center and cameras: Chief Campos reported 111 city‑wide cameras and said the real‑time crime center is staffed to provide lengthy daily coverage; the budget includes line items for ShotSpotter and license plate recognition. During questioning, staff acknowledged not all cameras are operational at any given time and that damage and equipment age require ongoing maintenance.

- New positions and programs: the proposed budget adds a civilian crime analyst position for the gun intelligence center and continues funding for community programs including Partners in Care, neighborhood resource fairs and a community engagement unit. The budget also includes $30,000 to support the Police Accountability Board / Citizen Review Board and program funding for Partners in Care, with a plan to ask for larger allocations in FY27 if grants are exhausted.

- Crossing guards and academy: the department reported difficulties hiring crossing guards; 21 of 35 crossing‑guard locations were filled at the time of the hearing. The department is running a police academy with 10 recruits and is planning future classes (24‑week academy plus 24 weeks of field training). The department said crossing‑guard positions are posted online and pay $15–$21 per hour.

- Capital needs: the budget lists capital requests including $460,000 for new public safety building elevators (parts for the existing elevators are no longer manufactured) and $130,000 to replace HVAC equipment in the 9‑1‑1 center.

Council concerns and follow up

Council members asked about allocation of officers among districts (including a 15‑officer downtown/riverfront assignment), strategies for take‑home vehicles and alternative incentives to improve recruitment and retention, and the operational status and prioritization of cameras in hot spots. Chief Campos said the department is open to a range of approaches to recruitment and retention and emphasized the need to remain competitive with other agencies.

Ending: The committee concluded the police department’s Q&A and asked staff to provide follow‑up materials and operational clarifications as needed; members were reminded that the next budget hearings would include human resources and the law department.