FWPD Recruiting

🚔 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.

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.

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/

💙👮🏽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! 👮‍♀️💙

#

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.

25 years later... We remember. Honoring the lives lost, the heroes who served and the unbreakable spirit of America. 🇺🇸. 09|11|2001

We never forget.
❤️🤍💙

We had our first ever Law Enforcement Career Fair for students interested in a career in Law Enforcement in northeast Indiana. Indiana State Police, Allen County Police Department, Fort Wayne Police Department, New Haven Police Department, Department of Natural Resources and 911 Dispatch.

Come be apart of something great !!

Get ready, Fort Wayne — the showdown is ON!

🔥 FIRE vs. POLICE 🔵

It’s a soccer clash, and your Fort Wayne area law enforcement is lacing up, locking in, and ready to bring the heat of their own!

📅 September 5
⏰ 10 AM
📍 Ruoff Mortgage Stadium
🎟️ Free admission – spectators welcome!

Come cheer on Team Blue as they take on the Fort Wayne Fire Department in a rivalry packed with teamwork, community spirit, and a whole lot of competitive energy.

The Fire Dept may bring the flames… but the Police are bringing the game. ⚽💪

Let’s fill those stands and show our officers we’ve got their backs!

Huge thanks to all the local sponsors helping make this community event awesome.

Who’s ready? 👮‍♂️🔵🔥