Wilmington Police Department welcomes 16 new officers

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — A new group of Wilmington police officers is ready to serve the community after graduating Friday from the Cape Fear Community College Basic Law Enforcement Training program.

Sixteen graduates took the oath during a swearing-in ceremony, officially joining the Wilmington Police Department after seven months of classes, testing and hands-on training.

Family members and friends attended the ceremony, where the new officers heard from Wilmington Police Chief Ryan Zuidema, received special recognition, and were presented with their badges.

Among the graduates was Madelyn Richardson, a Wilmington native who said the moment marked the culmination of months of hard work.

“Right now it actually hasn’t quite hit me yet, but over the last 6 to 7 months this is really satisfying to be able to finally just say I’ve done it and it’s been a lot of hard work, sweat, tears, whatever it takes. I’m really grateful to the department and everything they have done for us to be able to provide us with this moment; I’m ready to cherish it for a long time,” said Richardson.

Richardson said she is honored to begin serving the community where she grew up and to work alongside her fellow graduates.