 Diversifying the academy classes and the department itself has been a focus in recent years. The recruits begin each morning at 5.30 a.m., and they have 10-hour days, which includes two hours of physical fitness and eight hours of classroom time. The recruits receive weapons training as well as training in de-escalation and crisis intervention tactics, on top of studying Delaware criminal and traffic law, patrol functions, and procedural justice. The academy is usually a six-month process. The Wilmington Police Department is also accepting applications from already certified police officers, but that deadline is on Friday.