Wilmington Mayor Dennis Williams is looking for a new police chief following the news of the retirement of Christine Dunning.
The mayor had earlier indicated he might seek a replacement for the veteran of the department, but took heat from the Fraternal Order of Police over the statement.
The city has been under fire as a wave of gun-related violence continues.
Following her retirement, Dunning will go to work for New Castle County Executive Tom Gordon, who appointed her as an executive assistant. Gordon has been a political ally of Williams and served as county police chief.
Williams announced the national search for a new Chief to lead the Department and is forming a committee to lead the search. The action builds upon a new citywide geographic deployment plan for patrol officers that the mayor announced last week and the formation of a multi-jurisdictional task force to target violent criminals, Biden’s office stated.
“I applaud the mayor for making the decision to seek new leadership of the Department that will produce a sea change in the policing of the City,” Biden stated. “I also believe the officers of the Wilmington Police Department deserve and desire the best leadership to implement policing strategies that will reduce crime, strengthen communities and re-build public trust, strategies that have proven to be effective in many cities such as Boston, New York, and more recently Chicago.”
