In the aftermath of a third-party investigation into the Wilmington Police Department and its leadership, the North Carolina Police Benevolent Association (NCPBA) has called upon the Wilmington City Council for public release of the ISS report, citing a membership survey highlighting concerns among department staff.
The NCPBA has also requested to have input in the ongoing selection for Wilmington’s next police chief.
“Our local chapter membership is 89% of the total members of the police department,” reads a letter addressed to Mayor Bill Saffo and councilmembers on April 25, 2025, from John Midgette, executive director of the NCPBA. “Our members and every Wilmington police officer risk their lives every day for their citizens and for you. They deserve your time, inclusion and resolve.”
When asked for comment on Friday, April 25, Wilmington Police Chief Donny Williams declined. In January, Williams announced he would retire by June 30.
The NCPBA authorized development of a membership survey using questions believed to be presented in the ISS report, according to the letter. The survey was sent to members on March 21, 2025, and finalized on April 4, 2025.
According to an advertisement for the role of Wilmington police chief opened in early April 2025, staffing at the department currently consists of 263 sworn officers and 64 professional staff members.
Among the 115 reported survey respondents, 83 members identified as officers, 19 as sergeants, five as lieutenants, zero as captains, and eight as preferring not to disclose their rank. Of the survey respondents, approximately 76.7% self-identified as White.
The survey prompted questions about job expectations and the work environment at the Wilmington Police Department, with a few areas receiving notably negative feedback.
In response to a question about their overall work environment, 84 of 115 respondents — or 73% — rated it as poor. In addition, 23 respondents rated it as fair, eight as good and zero as excellent.
In response to a question about whether respondents felt the chief had created a racial divide at the agency, 74 of 115 respondents — or 64% — responded that they strongly agree, 25 that they agree, six that felt neutral, three that disagree and seven that strongly disagree.
In response to a question about whether respondents felt supported by their agency’s leadership, 64 of 115 respondents — or roughly 56% — responded that they strongly disagree, 26 that they disagree, 20 that they felt neutral, five that they agree and zero that they strongly agree.
Several staffing-related questions also received strong responses with many respondents agreeing that shortages have compromised both officer safety and service to the community. Approximately 81% of respondents also strongly disagreed with the statement that they were satisfied with their compensation.
One question asked whether respondents felt the current process for filling specialized positions was merit-based. In response, 76.5% strongly disagreed and another 15.7% disagreed.
Approximately 93% of respondents said they would not recommend this agency as a good place to work for others.
The survey consisted of a total of 36 questions and touched on a range of issues including department leadership, agency morale, internal operations and more.
“We respectfully request that you consider these results which we suspect closely mirror the findings of the ISS report,” the letter from Midgette reads. “Of course, the best way to validate that would be to release the report to those who financed it and deserve to know the results most, the citizens of Wilmington.”
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