Wilmington’s Police Chief, Wilfredo Campos, was recognized and celebrated by Delaware Technical Community College’s Stanton and Wilmington campuses on October 12, 2023, during its 14th Annual Hispanic Heritage Month Honoree Celebration. This recognition was for Chief Campos’ significant contributions to the Hispanic community and culture in northern Delaware.
Dr. Lora Johnson, Vice President and Campus Director for Delaware Tech’s Wilmington Campus, shared her enthusiasm for honoring Chief Campos, stating, “Hispanic Heritage Month is a special time of year when we come together at the College to honor and recognize the influence of Hispanic and Latino cultures on our society and celebrate those individuals that not only excelled in their field but made a lasting impact on those lives they have touched.”
Chief Campos, who hails from Wilmington and is the first person of Hispanic descent to hold the position of police chief for the City of Wilmington, was appointed to this role by Mayor Mike Purzycki in January 2023. With a remarkable 26-year career in the Wilmington Police Department, Chief Campos has served in various key positions, including the Uniformed Services Division, Community Policing Unit, Criminal Investigations Division, and the Human Resources Division. His career as a detective involved assignment to a Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives Task Force, and he has also served in the United States Army Reserve.
Chief Campos’ dedication extends beyond law enforcement, as he actively participates in community organizations. He is a board member of Westside Family Healthcare and Los Jardines Senior Housing.
Delaware Technical Community College’s President, Mark T. Brainard, expressed his pride in recognizing Chief Campos as the Hispanic Heritage Month honoree. He highlighted Chief Campos’ historic role as the first person of Hispanic descent to serve as Wilmington’s police chief and commended his long-standing commitment to the safety of Wilmington’s residents.
During the ceremony, Chief Campos also received tributes from various esteemed sources, including the Delaware Congressional Delegation, Governor and Lt. Governor’s offices, New Castle County, and the City of Wilmington.
In response to this honor, Chief Wilfredo Campos expressed his gratitude to the Delaware Tech community, including the administration, faculty, and alumni, for considering him for this humbling recognition. He appreciated their support and acknowledged the opportunities and resources they provide to the city of Wilmington and its residents.
Delaware Technical Community College, as the First State’s sole community college, offers a wide range of academic, technical, community education, and workforce development programs, including more than 100 bachelor’s and associate degree, diploma, and certificate programs. Accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, Delaware Tech maintains campuses in Georgetown, Dover, Stanton, and Wilmington. For more information about Delaware Tech, please visit www.dtcc.edu.
For additional information about this recognition, please contact Jen Brestel, Acting Marketing Manager, at (302) 453-3709 or via email at jbrestel@dtcc.edu.
Tribute
Be it hereby known to all that Michael S. Purzycki, Mayor for the City of Wilmington, recognizes Wilfredo Campos
For the honor bestowed upon him by Delaware Technical Community College, acknowledging his enduring dedication to the Hispanic community and its culture in northern Delaware. In January, Mayor Mike Purzycki of Wilmington appointed Wilfredo Campos, a 26-year veteran of the Wilmington Police Department, as the city’s next Police Chief. He stands as the 33rd individual to hold this esteemed position in the history of the City, and notably, the first of Hispanic descent to do so.
Hailing from Wilmington’s West Side, Chief Campos has dutifully served in various roles within the Wilmington Police Department throughout his extensive law enforcement career, including stints in the Uniform Services, Community Policing, Criminal Investigation, and Human Resources divisions. As a WPD Detective, he was assigned to the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms Task Force. Additionally, Chief Campos has served with distinction in the United States Army Reserve. His commitment to community extends beyond law enforcement, as evidenced by his role as a Board Member for West Side Family Healthcare and Los Jardines Senior Housing.
Chief Campos is a graduate of Thomas McKean High School and holds a bachelor’s degree from Wilmington University. He completed his training at the 84th Wilmington Police Academy in 1996. He has also graduated from the Senior Management Institute of Policing, sponsored by the esteemed Police Executive Research Forum (PERF), and holds the designation of a Polygraph Examiner Professional, having graduated from the Academy for Scientific Investigative Training in Philadelphia.
In January, Mayor Purzycki expressed his immense satisfaction in appointing Wilfredo Campos as Wilmington’s next Chief of Police. He stated, “His vast experience and leadership skills, combined with his decades-long familiarity with City neighborhoods and interactions with City residents, position him well to lead an exceptional police department. Each day, the men and women of the WPD demonstrate their commitment to public safety and the importance of serving the public with courage and integrity. I could not be happier for Chief Campos, his family, and the many supporters throughout Wilmington who have encouraged him throughout his career.”
The City of Wilmington commends Chief Campos for his exceptional leadership and unwavering commitment to the community. This tribute acknowledges the well-deserved honor bestowed upon him.
Stay in the know! Like us on social media below
