The Wilmington Police Department has a new leader at its helm, with longtime police department Capt. Wilfredo Campos named the new chief of police.
Campos, the city’s first Hispanic chief, replaces Chief Robert Tracy, who was set to step down Friday. Tracy is headed to Missouri after being selected as St. Louis’ next police commissioner.
The announcement of Campos’ new position, which takes effect immediately, came simultaneously from the city and its police department Thursday morning. The emailed news releases also said Campos had appointed two new inspectors: department veterans Anthony Bowers and Matthew Hall.
It’s not immediately clear what will become of current inspectors Cecilia Ashe and Charles Emory Jr.
Campos, 50, is Wilmington’s 33rd police chief. Raised on the city’s West Side, he graduated from Thomas McKean High School and Wilmington University, where he received his bachelor’s degree. He has been with the department since graduating from the police academy in 1996.
BACKGROUND:Wilmington Police Chief Robert Tracy to step down in January for police role in St. Louis
In his almost three decades with Wilmington Police, Campos has served in numerous capacities, including in the uniform patrol division, criminal investigation unit and human resources department.
As a detective, he was assigned to a Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives task force. He has also served with the U.S. Army Reserve.
Wilmington Mayor Mike Purzycki said Thursday that he was “extremely pleased” to appoint Campos as chief.
“His vast experience and leadership skills, as well as his decades-long knowledge and understanding of city neighborhoods and his interactions with city residents will serve him well as he takes command of an outstanding police department,” Purzycki said.
In addition to his decades on the police force, Campos also actively participates in the community, including serving as a board member of West Side Family Healthcare and Los Jardines Senior Housing.
“It is truly a blessing and an honor to have the opportunity to continue serving the residents of Wilmington,” Campos said Thursday.
TRACY’S LEGACY:After Wilmington council votes ‘no confidence’ in police chief, now what?
The chief’s newest inspectors are also longtime members of the department, with Hall joining the Wilmington Police Department in 1996 and Bowers in 1999.
Hall, who was promoted to captain in 2019, was previously the commanding officer of the department’s special operations unit. In addition to overseeing several other units, he helped coordinate with fellow law enforcement agencies and the U.S. Secret Service during the Democratic National Convention, election night and leading up to President Joe Biden’s inauguration.
Bowers, who was promoted to captain in 2018, most recently served as the commanding officer of human resources. In that role, he oversaw the department’s recruitment efforts, including the push for more diversity in the agency. He’s a recent graduate of the Senior Management Institute for Police.
Campos is being paid $200,000 annually.
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