Wilmington PD reports 40 vacancies; asks state to help provide more staffing incentives

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY-TV) – Local law enforcement shared a wish list with the state after meeting with Governor Josh Stein.

Stein met with local law enforcement to discuss various needs within their agencies. The law enforcement roundtable was one of many across the state with Stein. Each agency shared the current needs of their staff and the vacancies in their agencies.

The greatest need is at the Wilmington Police Department with 40 vacancies. In Brunswick County, the sheriff said they are around 20 short on staff. The New Hanover County Sheriff said their greatest need is in their detention facility.

Wilmington Police chief, Ryan Zuidema told the governor they’d like to provide more incentives to increase staffing.

“There’s a lot of states that are offering incentives for officers to come work in those states so we have to minimally at least keep up with them,” Zuidema said during the roundtable. “I would argue if we can actually lead on that, we need to make this a place where law enforcement folks want to come and stay.”

Many of the agencies also said their staff needs better mental health resources. Stein recently put together a $200 million public safety package. While the majority of that package will support state law enforcement, he said a portion will support local agency needs.