WPD report shows fewer arrests, more complaints

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — The Wilmington Police Department has released its Internal Affairs report for 2015.

According to the report, the Internal Affairs Unit conducted 88 investigations last year. The report said those cases involved 170 allegations of violations of WPD policies; 65 of those allegations were from citizens, while 23 were from within the agency. The citizen complaints and number of allegations increased from last year. There were 46 citizen complaints in 2014, compared to 65 last year. There were 75 allegations of violations in 2014, while there were 110 last year. Police believe a campaign that they said is aimed to reduce hostile confrontations with police, “Listen-Explain, Comply-Complain,” is a major factor in this increase. The campaign began in November of last year. The biggest allegation that was noted, the report said, had to do with conduct toward the public.

Click here to view the report.

The report also said there were 65 fewer arrests and a decrease in a use of force compared to 2014. The report said data shows 3.82 percent of arrests required force, which were 187 incidents.  There were, however, increases in calls for service, the WPD report said. The citizens calls for service increased by more than 15,000 from last year. There were also seven more vehicle pursuits.