FWPD Recruiting

10/19/2026

Congratulations to the newly promoted. Stay safe all.

10/16/2026

Officer Garza participated in Real Men Read.

10/08/2026

💪 NEW ILEA P.A.T. — NOW IS THE TIME TO GET READY! 🚔🔥

Indiana Law Enforcement is stepping into a new standard, and August 1, 2026 marked the start of the new ILEA Physical Agility Test (P.A.T.).

This isn’t just another fitness test—it’s designed around the real physical demands of the job. That means strength, speed, agility, endurance, and the ability to perform under pressure all matter.

⏱️ Entrance Standard: 4:08
⏱️ Exit Standard: 3:58

If you’re preparing for the academy, don’t wait until test day to see what you can do. Start training now. Learn the course. Practice the movements. Build your conditioning. And most importantly, give yourself enough time to improve.

🔥 You don’t have to be great on Day 1. But you have to be willing to put in the work.

Every workout is an opportunity to get a little faster, a little stronger, and a little more confident.

Train with purpose. Stay consistent. Trust the process.

The test may have a time limit—but your preparation starts long before the clock does. ⏱️💪

🚔 Who’s putting in the work to be ready?
Drop a 💪 below if you’re training for the ILEA P.A.T.!

10/07/2026

Chief of Police P.J. Smith brought the Fort Wayne Police Department’s budget before council tonight. As the department looks to next year, we are excited for our 71st recruit class to begin in January and hit the street by the end of the year. In addition to striving for a budgeted strength of 510 sworn officers, the department will use those officers more efficiently.

In January of 2027, the downtown district will become the Fort Wayne Police Department’s 5th fully staffed uniform police division. The move will help keep police officers more involved in the heart of Fort Wayne day and night.

Overall, the department continues to look for ways to maximize the city’s safety with our 2027 budget.

10/05/2026

🚔 There are so many options when it comes to Fort Wayne Police Department!! 🚔

When people think about the Fort Wayne Police Department, they may picture an officer responding to a call—but the department offers many different specialized career paths and opportunities to serve our community.

Here’s a look at some of the teams and assignments that help keep Fort Wayne safe:

🐕 K9 Unit
Our four-legged partners play an important role in law enforcement, assisting officers with tasks such as tracking, locating evidence, and detecting specific substances.

🤝 Hostage Negotiators – CRT
When a situation involves a barricaded person, hostage situation, or other high-risk crisis, trained negotiators work to establish communication and help bring the situation to a safe resolution.

🚨 Emergency Services Team – EST
EST officers respond to some of the department’s most critical and high-risk situations, requiring specialized training, teamwork, and preparation.

🚁 Air Support Unit – Drones
Technology has become an important part of modern policing. Drone operators can provide an aerial perspective during searches, investigations, major incidents, and other operations.

🚲 Bike Patrol
Bike officers provide a highly mobile and approachable presence throughout the community. They can navigate areas that may be difficult for traditional patrol vehicles to reach while building relationships with residents.

🔎 Detectives
Detectives investigate crimes, gather evidence, interview witnesses and victims, and work to identify and hold offenders accountable. Their work often continues long after the initial police report is made.

🚓 Patrol Officers
Patrol is the backbone of the department. Officers answer calls for service, respond to emergencies, conduct traffic enforcement, investigate incidents, assist residents, and are often the first officers on scene.

🏫 School Resource Officers – SROs
SROs work directly within schools, helping provide a safe learning environment while building positive relationships with students, staff, and families.

One department. Many opportunities. One mission: SERVE & PROTECT. 💙

Whether you're interested in investigations, technology, tactical response, community policing, working with K9s, or building relationships with the next generation, there may be a place for you within the Fort Wayne Police Department.

👮‍♀️👮‍♂️ Interested in a career with FWPD? Your path may start with Patrol—but it doesn't have to end there!

TEXT JOINFWPD to 260-233-9850

Applications will open again next Spring for the 72nd Basic Recruit Class to start in 2028.

10/05/2026

Officer Bradley W. Matteson
EOW: October 5, 2000.

Today, the Fort Wayne Police Department honors the memory of Officer Bradley W. Matteson, who died in the line of duty on October 5, 2000.

Officer Matteson was returning from a service call when his police vehicle was struck by a semitrailer at State Street and Coliseum Boulevard. He later died from his injuries. Officer Matteson was 43 years old and had served the Fort Wayne community for 19 years.

Twenty-six years later, we continue to remember the life he lived, the community he served and the sacrifice he made.

Officer Bradley W. Matteson
End of Watch: October 5, 2000

His service and sacrifice remain part of the legacy of the Fort Wayne Police Department.

Forever Remembered.

09/27/2026

Rest in peace. ❤️

The Fort Wayne firefighters’ union announced the passing of Captain and Fire & Life Safety Educator Andrea Burton on Sunday.

REPORT: https://www.21alivenews.com/2026/09/27/fort-wayne-firefighters-union-announces-passing-fire-captain/

09/14/2026

💙👮🏽Celebrating Women in Law Enforcement 💙👮‍♀️

We recognize and celebrate the incredible women who choose to serve, protect, and make a difference in their communities.

Our women patrol the streets, investigate cases, serve in our schools, on speciality units, in leadership roles, train the next generation, and show up for our community 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗹𝗲 𝗱𝗮𝘆.

To every woman police officer who puts on the uniform each day—thank you for your courage, strength, compassion, and dedication. You show that being strong and being compassionate can go hand in hand, and you continue to inspire the next generation of women to serve.

Behind every badge is a woman who sacrifices time with family, faces challenges most people never see, and continues to show up when her community needs her.

Thank you for your service. Thank you for your sacrifice. Thank you for being an example of strength and courage. 💙

🚔 To all the women behind the badge—this week, we celebrate YOU! 👮‍♀️💙

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09/12/2026

09/11/2026

Today the FWPD also remembers and honors fallen Officer David A. Tinsley. Thank you Officer Tinsley for your dedication and sacrifice.

Never forgotten.

EOW; 09|11|2018 💙

Today, we pause to remember and honor Fort Wayne Police Officer David A. Tinsley, who died in the line of duty on September 11, 2018.

Officer Tinsley served the Fort Wayne community with dedication for 16 years. He died after suffering a medical emergency while assisting in the search for a suspect following a vehicle and foot pursuit.

Eight years later, we continue to remember his service, his sacrifice, and the impact he made on those who served alongside him and the community he protected.

Our thoughts remain with Officer Tinsley’s family, friends, and fellow officers.

Officer David A. Tinsley
End of Watch: September 11, 2018

Never forgotten.