Month: July 2026

The Dover Police Department is now accepting applications for its 2026 Citizen Police Academy (CPA), an engaging and interactive program designed to provide community members with an in-depth look at modern policing and the operations of the Dover Police Department.

The Citizen Police Academy will meet each Wednesday evening from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., beginning September 9, 2026, and concluding on November 4, 2026. There is no cost to attend.

The program is designed to educate members of the community about police procedures, the challenges and responsibilities of law enforcement, and the many specialized functions within the department. Participants will have the opportunity to interact directly with Dover Police officers, ask questions, and gain a greater understanding of the work performed every day to keep the community safe.

Applicants do not have to be City of Dover residents to participate.

The Citizen Police Academy is built around three primary goals:

• Educate community members about Dover Police Department procedures and the realities of law enforcement.
• Provide citizens with the opportunity to meet and interact with the men and women who serve their community.
• Give Dover Police Department officers the opportunity to hear directly from the citizens they serve while building stronger community partnerships.

Throughout the academy, participants will receive a realistic behind-the-scenes look at the department through presentations, demonstrations, videos, and hands-on activities. Topics include:

• Meet the Chief / Question & Answer Session
• Community Policing
• Laws of Arrest
• Search and Seizure
• Emergency Communications (9-1-1 Center)
• Internal Affairs
• Criminal Investigations
• Crisis Negotiation Team
• Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) and Forensics
• Patrol Operations
• Canine Unit
• Drugs, Vice, and Organized Crime Unit
• Special Operations Response Team (SORT)
• Use of Force Training
• Traffic Stops
• Public Information

In addition to classroom instruction, each participant will have the opportunity to complete a patrol ride-along with a Dover Police officer, providing firsthand insight into daily police operations.

Applications for the 2026 Citizen Police Academy must be submitted no later than Friday, August 7, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. Space is limited, and applicants are encouraged to apply early at the following link: https://doverpolice.org/citizensacademy/

The Citizen Police Academy application is available at the bottom of the Dover Police Department Citizen Police Academy webpage.

For additional information, please contact the Dover Police Department Public Information Office.

The Dover Police Department is inviting anyone interested in a career in law enforcement to attend its How to Succeed in the Hiring Process Seminar on Saturday, August 1, 2026, in the Public Assembly Room at the Dover Police Department. Doors will open at 8:45 a.m., and the seminar will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

This free informational seminar is designed to help prospective applicants better understand every step of the Dover Police Department’s hiring process and provide valuable insight into what it takes to become a police officer.

Topics will include:

• The online application process
• Physical fitness assessment
• Written examination
• Oral board interview
• Background investigation
• Chief of Police interview
• Police academy expectations
• Tips and strategies to successfully prepare for each phase of the hiring process

Department personnel will also be available to answer questions and provide firsthand insight into the profession and the hiring process.

No application or RSVP is required. Those interested are encouraged to arrive before the seminar begins and take the first step toward a rewarding career serving the Capital City.

The Dover Police Department accepts applications for police officers on a continual basis. For more information about employment opportunities, please visit www.doverpolice.org/careers.

Anyone with questions about the seminar may contact Sergeant Joseph Bauer at (302) 736-7116.

Incident Number: 50-26-11528

Date/Time: Wednesday, April 8, 2026, at approximately 11:15 p.m.

Location: Unit Block of North Governors Avenue, Dover, DE

Contact: Dover Police Department Public Information Officer
Lieutenant Mark Hoffman Email: Mark.Hoffman@cj.state.de.us

Narrative:

The Dover Police Department has arrested a Dover man in connection with a shooting that left three people injured in April.

The incident occurred at approximately 11:15 p.m. on April 8, 2026, when Dover Police officers responded to the unit block of North Governors Avenue for reports of shots fired. Officers located a 57-year-old female with graze wounds to her right arm and chest, a 19-year-old male suffering from a gunshot wound to the lower body, and a 41-year-old male with a graze wound to his right arm. The female and 19-year-old male were transported to an area hospital and treated for non-life-threatening injuries. The 41-year-old male declined medical treatment.

The ensuing investigation determined that several individuals had been involved in a physical altercation when a suspect fired two rounds toward the group before fleeing westbound and then northbound through an alley west of North Governors Avenue.

Through continued investigative efforts, Detective’s identified Deivin Trower (23), of Dover, as the suspect and obtained warrants for his arrest on June 26, 2026. On June 27, 2026, the U.S. Marshals Service First State Fugitive Task Force adopted the case in an effort to locate and apprehend Trower.

On July 1, 2026, investigators developed information that Trower was in the Fairway Lakes Drive area of Dover. As members of the U.S. Marshals Service, the Dover Police Department Drug, Vice and Organized Crime (DVOC) Unit, and Street Crimes Unit attempted to take him into custody, Trower fled on foot into a wooded area behind the Wawa on Route 8. An extensive search was conducted, but he was not located.

On July 9, 2026, investigators received information that Trower was at a residence in White Oak Apartments in Dover. During surveillance, Tionna Harmon (21), of Dover, exited the residence and appeared to act as a lookout. A short time later, Trower exited through a rear window and began walking toward White Oak Road and was apprehended when attempting to flee law enforcement.

Trower and Harmon were taken into custody without incident. Harmon was found to be in possession of a Polymer80 handgun frame believed to belong to Trower and was charged accordingly.

Trower was charged with offenses related to the April 8, 2026, shooting. Harmon was charged with offenses related to her actions during Trower’s apprehension and possession of the Polymer80 handgun frame.

Trower was committed to SCI in default of a $175,100 cash bond on the following charges:
-Assault 1st Degree
-Possession of Firearm During Commission of a Felony
-Assault 2nd Degree (2x)
-Carrying Concealed Deadly Weapon
-Reckless Endanger 1st Degree
-Possession of Firearm/Ammo by Person Prohibited (2x)
-Wearing a Disguise During Commission of Felony

Harmon was released on $4,500 unsecured bond on the following offenses:
-Carry Concealed Deadly Weapon
-Hindering Prosection

The Dover Police Department would like to recognize the outstanding collaborative efforts that led to Trower’s apprehension. Assistance was provided by the U.S. Marshals Service First State Fugitive Task Force, the Dover Police Department Special Operations Response Team (SORT), Drug, Vice and Organized Crime (DVOC)/Street Crimes Unit, Dover PD K9 Unit, Dover PD Patrol Division, Dover PD Motor Unit, Criminal Investigations Unit, Delaware Probation and Parole, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the Delaware State Police Kent County Drug Unit. Their coordinated efforts and commitment to public safety were instrumental in bringing this investigation to a successful conclusion.

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Incident Number:  50-26-23259

Date/Time: Monday, July 6th, 2026 at approximately 5:11 P.M.

Location: East Broadstairs Place (Village of Westover), Dover, DE

Contact:   Dover Police Department Public Information Officer
Lieutenant Mark Hoffman   Email: Mark.Hoffman@cj.state.de.us

Narrative: The Dover Police Department is investigating a shooting that damaged multiple vehicles and residences in the Village of Westover community on Monday afternoon.

At approximately 5:11 p.m., officers responded to the area of East Broadstairs Place following reports of multiple gunshots. Upon arrival, officers located approximately 40 spent shell casings in the roadway.

As a result of the shooting, 10 unoccupied vehicles and five residences were struck by gunfire. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.

Preliminary investigation and video surveillance indicate that a maroon SUV was traveling through East Broadstairs Place when several suspects exited a dark-colored sedan and opened fire on the SUV. Following the shooting, both vehicles fled the area before officers arrived and have not yet been located.

This investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Dover Police Department at (302) 736-7145. Callers may remain anonymous. Tips may also be submitted through Delaware Crime Stoppers at 800-TIP-3333 or online at www.delaware.crimestoppersweb.com. A cash reward may be available for information leading to an arrest.

Incident Number:  50-26-22915

Date/Time: Friday, July 3rd, 2026 at approximately 8:17 P.M.

Location: J Stylz Unisex Salon, 1101 S. DuPont Highway, Dover, DE

Contact:   Dover Police Department Public Information Officer
Lieutenant Mark Hoffman   Email: Mark.Hoffman@cj.state.de.us

Narrative: The Dover Police Department is investigating a shooting that seriously injured a 33-year-old man on Friday night. Officers responded to the J Stylz Unisex Salon located at 1101 S. DuPont Highway for a report of a shooting. Upon arrival, officers located the victim who was shot multiple times in his lower extremities and once in the abdomen.

The victim was transported by EMS to a nearby hospital where he is currently in serious but stable condition.

This investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Dover Police Department at (302) 736-7145. Callers may remain anonymous. Tips may also be submitted through Delaware Crime Stoppers at 800-TIP-3333 or online at www.delaware.crimestoppersweb.com. A cash reward may be available for information leading to an arrest.

Incident Number:  50-26-22141

Date/Time: Sunday, June 28th, 2026 at approximately 12:13 A.M.

Location: 400 Block of Kent Avenue (rear alley), Dover, DE

Contact:   Dover Police Department Public Information Officer
Lieutenant Mark Hoffman   Email: Mark.Hoffman@cj.state.de.us

Update (July 2nd, 2026): The Dover Police Department is continuing to investigate a shooting that occurred early Sunday morning in the Capital Green area that has now become a homicide investigation.

At approximately 12:13 a.m. on June 28, 2026, officers responded to the rear alley in the 400 block of Kent Avenue for the report of a shooting. Upon arrival, officers located 18-year-old Christopher Waters of Dover suffering from a gunshot wound to the upper body. Officers immediately rendered aid until EMS arrived, and Waters was transported to a nearby hospital in critical condition.

Investigators located more than 30 shell casings at the scene.

On July 2, 2026, at approximately 12:30 a.m., Waters succumbed to his injuries while hospitalized. The investigation has now been classified as a homicide as a result.

Additionally, investigators recovered a black Honda Accord believed to be connected to the incident following the June 28 shooting. The vehicle was found burned in a field on Andrews Lake Road in the Felton area and is being processed as part of the ongoing investigation.

The investigation remains active. Detectives are asking anyone with information regarding this incident to contact Detective Boney at (302) 736-7111. Anonymous tips may also be provided to Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333 or online at delaware.crimestoppersweb.com.

Original Narrative: The Dover Police Department is investigating a shooting that critically wounded an 18-year-old male on Sunday morning. At approximately 12:13 A.M. on June 28th, officers responded to the rear alley in the 400 Block of Kent Avenue for a report of a shooting. Upon arrival, officers located the 18-year-old male victim in the passenger seat of a vehicle with a gunshot wound to the upper body. Officers immediately rendered aid to the victim until emergency medical personnel arrived.

The victim was transported by EMS to a nearby hospital where he is currently in critical condition. Investigators at the scene located over 30 shell casings from the incident.

This investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Dover Police Department at (302) 736-7111. Callers may remain anonymous. Tips may also be submitted through Delaware Crime Stoppers at 800-TIP-3333 or online at www.delaware.crimestoppersweb.com. A cash reward may be available for information leading to an arrest.