The New Castle County Police Academy is located in Kimberton, just outside of Newark. The 14,000 square foot facility replaced an abandoned swimming pool that was located within an area which had experienced a high level of crime. Dedicated in 2000, this modern building provides a venue for the instruction of new recruits, as well as Brookside Community Policing Office. In February 2005, the police academy held its thirtieth graduation ceremony, providing the department with twenty-four new officers. Training at the academy is both extensive and intensive involving instruction in state and local laws, police procedures and protocols, firearms and the use of force, community relations, specialized driver education, interpersonal relationships, and more. The Division of Police oversees the issuance of authorized equipment to all sworn officers.  These items are provided at no cost to the individual officer. The Division of Police currently assigns "take home" police vehicles to all sworn officers following their graduation from the Division's Recruit Training Academy and subsequent completion of a field training program.  Officers assigned a take home vehicle are required to drive their vehicle back and forth to work from their respective residence (provided they live inside New Castle County).