Wilmington will have a new chief of police next week.
The city’s current police chief Bobby Cummings announced Thursday he is retiring after 32 years on the force. He will step down effective next Friday, April 14.
Mayor Mike Purzycki said in a statement he will introduce Cummings replacement next week before Cummings departs.
Cummings was tapped to lead city cops by former mayor Dennis Williams in May 2014. Purzycki asked him to stay on while Purzycki sought a new chief.
“I express my thanks and appreciation to Chief Cummings for his outstanding record of service to the citizens of Wilmington," said Purzycki in a statement. "Next Thursday, a walk out ceremony will be held so the men and women of the Police Department can honor the Chief for his service. This ceremony also marks the Chief’s formal retirement from the Wilmington Police Department. I join with Members of City Council, and citizens throughout Wilmington in saying thank you and Godspeed to a true law enforcement professional who served his City with distinction."