By Craig Anderson

DOVER — Though the pool of potential officers grows more shallow in the First State and nationwide, Delaware State Police isn’t lowering its hiring standards to attract more recruits.

So said DSP spokesman Master Cpl. Gary Fournier, who added that the agency draws potential troopers from an array of backgrounds.

“The Delaware State Police hire qualified applicants who are a reflection of the communities we serve and whose morals and values mirror those of the division,” he said. “It is our mission to provide professional and compassionate law enforcement services to the residents and visitors of the state of Delaware.

“As a result, the division has not lowered their hiring standards.”

DSP currently employs 721 troopers, 22 of whom are funded by Sussex County. This is approaching the 728 positions allowed by the state legislature.

But since 2018, the entity has seen a nearly 70% drop in applications, Cpl. Fournier said.

Regarding the current quantity and quality of interested candidates, he said, “We have applicants who are current college graduates seeking employment in law enforcement, applicants who are seeking a career change and applicants who are transitioning out of the military and want to continue to serve their communities.

“Every applicant brings their own unique set of knowledge, skills and abilities.”

Among the present ranks, there are 627 male and 94 female troopers, including the superintendent, Col. Melissa Zebley. Of those, 606 are White, 69 are Black, 28 are Hispanic, six are American Indian/Alaskan natives, and 12 are Asian/Pacific Islander.

While the rate of trooper departures varies year to year, it typically hovers around 1%, Cpl. Fournier said.

To connect with potential troopers, DSP recruiters “go (to) high schools and colleges and speak to criminal justice classes about the Delaware State Police, and they attend career fairs and community events.”

But “these in-person events were eventually canceled due to COVID-19. As the pandemic continued, these events were canceled, with some being moved to a virtual platform,” he added.

Standards necessary to become a trooper, as well as minimum qualifications, are posted at becomeatrooper.com. Would-be recruits also can locate more information and express an interest in joining DSP there.

Come April, the next Delaware State Police Training Academy will test those who have qualified and meet those standards. The roughly 20-week course is for trooper recruits and some municipal agency candidates.

The academy graduation rate is approximately 80%, Cpl. Fournier said.

About 60% of the training academy curriculum is classroom-based instruction, while the remaining 40% involves hands-on teaching. Six main instructional areas comprise the program — classroom, physical fitness, firearms, patrol procedures, emergency vehicle operations and defensive tactics. A candidate who misses more than 20% of class time in any area may be dropped from the academy and/or be subject to examination by the Academic Review Board.

The curriculum follows established Delaware Council on Police Training regulations, “which have the effect of law and serve to guide those agencies training Delaware law enforcement personnel,” Cpl. Fournier said.

Eventually, academy members must complete 584 hours of training in various fields of law enforcement and public service studies, including emergency care and CPR.

Approximately 300 hours of additional instruction will be included to supplement skills needed by a professional law enforcement officer, DSP said.