The application period for the 2026 Academy has now closed. Thank you to everyone who submitted an application!

The City of Wilmington Police Department and Fire Department are organizing a Youth Public Safety Academy for children ages 13 through 17. The Youth Academy is a two-week program that will be held in the City of Wilmington from Monday to Friday, beginning on Monday, June 15 and concluding on Friday, June 26. The Academy will begin at 8:00 a.m. and dismiss at 2:00 p.m. This program is designed to build upon the relationship between our police officers and firefighters and the community they serve, while providing youth in Wilmington with a better understanding of the challenges and responsibility of public safety professionals.

Participants will attend a mock police and fire academy involving lectures, role-playing, teambuilding exercises, hands-on activities, presentations, and field trips. In addition, there will also be a physical training component.

The Youth Public Safety Academy curriculum will include the following topics:

• Conflict resolution
• Fire safety
• Fingerprinting
• Crime scene investigation
• Arson investigation
• Drug awareness
• Traffic and criminal law
• Building searches
• Canine Unit operations
• First Aid
• Explosive/bomb investigations
• Physical agility training (push-ups, sit-ups, light calisthenics. etc.)
• Gang awareness
• Juvenile Justice System
• Report writing
• Internet safety

There is no cost to attend and breakfast and lunch will be provided to participants, but class size is limited. Anyone with questions about the program can contact Sgt. Brian McCanney at Brian.McCanney@cj.state.de.us or (302) 388-1470.