The Wilmington Hope Commission found that based on research, committee deliberations, and
voices from the community including residents, law enforcement, and elected officials, that the
Wilmington Police Department should fully adopt a community policing philosophy departmentwide.
Community policing means (1) an ongoing commitment to organizational and operational
change, (2) building significant partnerships, and (3) an emphasis on community problem
solving. The philosophy encourages all stakeholders to participate in the problem-solving
process and empowers residents to fight crime in their neighborhoods and businesses. To be
effective, community policing requires police to build trusting relationships with residents and
businesses in the community and in turn, for residents to work with police to fight crime and
improve quality of life – it is a two way street. We recommend that at every opportunity officers
interact with community members