POLICE OFFICER

Salary: $74,453.00 - $99,774.00 Annually
Location : New Castle County Department of Public Safety, 3601 N. duPont Highway, New Castle, DE
Job Type: Regular Full-time
Job Number: 00289-2026
Department: Public Safety
Division: POLICE - ENTRY LEVEL
Opening Date: 08/10/2026
Closing Date: 9/4/2026 11:59 PM Eastern


IMPORTANT INFORMATION
In accordance with the Merit System Rules and Regulations, an eligible list, which will be valid for a one-year period and which will be used to fill vacancies during that period, is being established for this classification. Applicants on the eligible list will be certified in accordance with the Merit System and appropriate union contracts.

Candidates may submit online employment applications using the NEOGOV online application system available at


EXAMINATION PROCESS: The examination process for this posting may include an evaluation of training and experience, a written examination, a computerized exam, an oral board interview examination, a performance examination or any combination of the above in order to qualify applicants for placement on the eligible list. The eligible list will be used to fill vacancies that occur within the next year. The appropriate number of names on the eligible list as prescribed by Merit System Section 26.03.505 will be certified to the hiring department for consideration to fill the vacant position(s).

New employees are generally hired at the starting salary and may be eligible for merit increases each year upon receipt of a satisfactory performance evaluation, up to the maximum salary.

New Castle County is an Equal Opportunity Employer
JOB DESCRIPTION


GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES: Performs general duty police work in the protection of life and property throughout the County; prevents violation of statutes and ordinances; investigates and suppresses disturbances; investigates complaints; makes arrests and issues summonses when appropriate; does related work as required.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS: An employee in this class performs work consisting of varied police assignments. Usually, a Police Officer is assigned to a patrol platoon or other police unit and conducts investigations as directed by a superior officer; performs routine preliminary investigations and miscellaneous duties performed in accordance with departmental rules and regulations, directives and Delaware law. This employee is required to exercise initiative and discretion when faced with emergency conditions.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: (Illustrative only)

• Enforces State laws and County regulations;
• Patrols an assigned area during a specific period in motorized police equipment;
• Checks doors and windows and examines premises of unoccupied buildings or residences in order to detect suspicious conditions;
• Subdues combatants and arrests dangerous criminals;
• Investigates suspicious conditions and complaints and makes arrests of persons who violate laws and ordinances;
• Accompanies prisoners to headquarters, jail, or court and appears in court as arresting officer;
• Directs traffic and either arrests or gives violation tickets to those who break traffic laws;
• Attends fires or accidents in assigned area as directed, giving all possible assistance and preparing necessary reports from investigations made;
• Maintains order in crowds and attends parades and other public gatherings;
• Watches for stolen cars and wanted or missing persons;
• Makes investigations and enforces County and State laws pertaining to juvenile offenders;
• Gives advice on laws and ordinances and general information to the public;
• Operates radio patrol car or patrol wagon as required;
• Operates radar unit for traffic control;
• Serves subpoenas and executes warrants issued by the courts of New Castle County;
• Provides escort service for public dignitaries, funerals, oversize vehicles, and explosive vehicles;
• Transports prisoners to specified destinations;
• Assists motorists whose vehicles are broken down or stranded;
• Acts for Police Sergeant in his or her absence as directed;
• Makes special investigations as directed in plain clothes;
• Promotes an ongoing attitude of dedication to excellent public service and ensures that external and internal customers are provided with the highest quality of service;
• Operates a personal computer and other related equipment in the course of the work.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES: Good social and general intelligence; good powers of observation and memory; good judgment; good knowledge of first-aid methods; skill in the use of firearms; demonstrated proficiency to safely operate a vehicle on the road in emergency situations at high speed and under normal conditions; ability to understand and carry out complex oral and written instructions; ability to give chase, apprehend and perform arresting duties; ability to communicate courteously and effectively, both verbally and in writing; possess excellent moral character, strength and physical fitness.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Twenty one (21) years of age upon successful completion of New Castle County police academy training and one of the following by the date of the written examination: possession of an Associate's Degree or at least sixty (60) credit hours from an accredited college or university;
• or at least two (2) cumulative years of active military service in the Armed Services of the United States with an honorable discharge and thirty (30) credit hours from an accredited college or university;
• or at least four (4) cumulative years of active military service with the Armed Services of the United States with an honorable discharge;
• or a current Delaware Police Officer Standards and Training (POST) Commission certified police officer with four (4) years full-time police experience;
• or a current out-of-state police certification with two (2) years full-time police experience and thirty (30) credit hours from an accredited college or university;
• or five (5) consecutive years of progressively responsible work experience that demonstrates the applicant's ability to meet the required knowledge, skills and abilities of the position.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS: Weight should be proportionate to height; successful completion of a fitness evaluation, Class 1a physical examination, psychological examination and background investigation; acuity of vision of not more than 20/200 corrected to 20/20 in each eye; the ability to distinguish between the colors of red, green, and amber with no pathology of the eyes and acceptable depth perception; possession of a valid Delaware Class D driver's license or its equivalent; successful completion of police academy training within one year of employment; must be a United States citizen. If naturalized, at least five (5) years of documented proof of U.S. residency.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATION: Applicants who possess a minimum of thirty (30) credit hours from an accredited college or university will be given preference over applicants who only possess five (5) years of work experience.

CONTACT INFORMATION
Master Corporal Amanda Pierce

New Castle County Police Department

Professional Development Unit, Recruiter

3601 N. DuPont Highway

New Castle, DE 19720

302-395-8140/302-395-8146
Health Insurance: Starts the first of the month following a 60-day waiting period from the date of hire. Charges for coverage vary depending on type and level of coverage chosen. The following plans are currently available through Highmark (Comprehensive 80% Plan; a PPO (Preferred Provider Organization) and an EPO (Exclusive Provider Organization) and Aetna (Open Access HMO.) Deductibles and co-pays may also apply.


Dental Insurance: Starts first of the month following a 60-day waiting period from date of hire. Currently, there are two PPO options and an HMO option. Charges vary depending on type and level of coverage chosen.


Sick Leave : Accumulates at the rate of one day for each completed month of service, beginning after the first full month of employment.


Vacation : Vests on December 31 of the calendar year preceding the vacation year. Vested vacation is to be used in the 12 months following the vesting date. Employees are entitled to vacation as follows:

• Less than 12 months service -- 1 day for each completed month of service to a maximum of 10 days
• 1 - 4 years of service -- 10 days of vacation
• 5 - 9 years of service -- 15 days of vacation
• 10 - 14 years of service -- 20 days of vacation
• 15 years of service -- 25 days of vacation
• 15+ years of service -- 25+ days of vacation (an additional day for each successive year of service)

Holidays : 13-1/2 paid holidays per year (1/2 day on Christmas Eve).


Life Insurance : Provided by the County in the amount of one and one-half times your salary. Minimum benefit -- $50,000; Maximum benefit -- $200,000.


Pension : As a member of the Delaware County & Municipal Police/Firefighter Pension Plan you will contribute 7% of your bi-weekly base pay. You will not contribute/participate in Social Security.


Deferred Compensation Plan:
Optional employee contributory plan available.


Additional Benefits : Salary increases each year dependent upon appropriate negotiated increase and/or merit increases; Credit Union, Blood Bank, Sick Leave Bank (after two years of service), Fitness Center, and an Employee Assistance Program are all benefits available to employees at no cost.


Supplemental Benefits : Flexible Spending Accounts (medical reimbursement and dependent care), additional life insurance, vision, group accident, group hospital indemnity, group disability, and critical care insurance are also available at an additional cost to the employee.


Union Affiliation : Some positions are affiliated with a local bargaining unit, and, therefore, will require a monthly dues deduction ranging from $23 to $46.65 per month.


Special Note : The above benefits are subject to change. For detailed information on any of the above, contact the Office of Human Resources at View phone number on click.appcast.io.

Revised: 12/15/15
01


Do you possess an Associate's Degree or at least sixty (60) credit hours from an accredited college or university?

• Yes
• No

02


Do you have at least two (2) cumulative years of active military service in the Armed Services of the United States with an honorable discharge and thirty (30) credit hours from an accredited college or university?

• Yes
• No

03


Do you possess current out-of-state police certification with two (2) years full-time police experience and thirty (30) credit hours from an accredited college or university?

• Yes
• No

04


Do you have at least five (5) consecutive years of progressively responsible full-time work experience? Full time is considered at least 30 hour per week for 60 continuous months. Please describe in detail how you meet this qualification.
05


Do you possess a valid Delaware Class D driver's license or its equivalent?

• Yes
• No

06


Have you applied to be a New Castle County Police Officer before? If so please list all dates below.
07


Are you a U.S. citizen? If naturalized, do you at least five (5) years of documented proof of U.S. residency.

• Yes
• No

08


How long have you lived in the United States?

• Less than 5 years
• More than 5 years
• Since birth

09


Select all that apply:

• I have a high school diploma
• I have completed 60 college credits
• I have achieved E5 rank or higher in the military
• I have been (including currently) employed full-time for a minimum of 5 years (does not have to all be with the same employer)

10


If you were referred by a New Castle County Police Officer, please provide their name.
11


Do you possess at least four (4) cumulative years of active military service with the Armed Services of the United States with an honorable discharge or current State of Delaware Police Officer Standards and Training Commission (POST) certified officers with four (4) years full-time police experience?

• Yes
• No

12


Have you successfully completed a police academy training within one year of employment?

• Yes
• No

Required Question