I am already a certified police officer. Do you accept lateral transfers?

We do accept lateral transfers. See the answers below for your specific situation.  

  • If you are already certified as a police officer in Delaware:
    • After applying through the link on this page, you will go directly to the background investigation phase.  There is no need to take a written examination.  You will then complete the remaining steps of the hiring process as outlined on this site.
  • If you are certified as a police officer in a state other than Delaware:
    • You must apply through the link on this page.
    • You will be required to take the standardized written exam given to non-certified applicants.  This is required by state regulations.
      • The exam will be administered at a convenient time for the applicant and the applicant will not have to wait for a specific exam date.
    • After taking the written exam, you will go directly to the background investigation phase.  You will then complete the remaining steps of the hiring process as outlined on this site.
    • To become certified as a police officer in Delaware, the certified applicant's training records from the current state of certification will be sent to the Delaware Council on Police Training ("COPT").  The COPT will compare the training the applicant has received to the training requirements in Delaware.  If the applicant needs more than 40% of the minimum number of hours of training required in the State of Delaware, then the applicant will have to go through an entire police academy.  We have had police officers lateral from both Pennsylvania and Maryland (among other states) and the applicants did not have to attend an entire academy.  The applicant will be taught (either internally or during an academy class) the specific areas that are identified as needing training (ie. Delaware criminal and traffic law) to complete the requirements for Delaware COPT certification. 
    • If the certified applicant's training is through Pennsylvania Act 120 and the applicant did not work as a police officer, the applicant may still be required to attend a full police academy.
    • A determination of a certified applicant's training requirements cannot be completed without filing an application for employment.
  • The starting salary for a lateral officer is the same as a new officer as advertised on this site.

Further information can be found on our recruiting page.

Show All Answers

1. What is the process to be hired as a police officer?
2. I am already a certified police officer. Do you accept lateral transfers?
3. Is there an age minimum or maximum to apply?
4. What is the hiring bonus and when is it paid?
5. Do police officers take their vehicles home?
6. What is your tattoo policy?
7. What is your facial hair policy?
8. I don't have 60 college credits, but i have military service. Can I be hired?
9. I don't have 60 college credits, but I have prior police service. Can I be hired?
10. I live more than 100 miles from Newark, DE. Is there a special streamlined hiring process?
11. Do you have a residency requirement?
12. What is the physical fitness requirement?
13. What police academy will I attend?
14. I have more questions. Who do I contact?