County Executive Tom Gordon has appointed Christine R. Dunning to the position of Acting Chief of Human Resources for New Castle County.
Dunning, a Wilmington Police officer of 27 years, recently retired as the first female Police Chief in WPD history. Her initial experience in Human Resources was as Training Lieutenant, overseeing recruitment, hiring and the development of police academies.
She later returned to the Office of Human Resources after her promotion to Captain in 2010 and oversaw the HR budget, compliance with accreditation standards, and overall management of the office.
"We're taking advantage of her professional and educational background in HR, along with her experience in running a police department,” County Executive Gordon said. “As a former Police Chief, I can attest to the leadership skills one develops in that position.”
“We commend Assistant County Attorney Laura Hay for the work she has done leading the department of Human Resources in the interim,” said CAO David Grimaldi. “We are excited about the future of the department under the leadership of former Chief Dunning,” he added.
Dunning says she looks forward to carrying out the Executive’s directive to increase the applicant pool and diversity within the County ranks.
"The County Executive has been very mindful of the upcoming retirements and vacancies within the County," she said. “He wants HR to increase its reach throughout the County in an effort to find the best and the brightest for public service.”
Dunning will earn a salary of $107,000 per year in her new position.
Dunning, a Wilmington native, attended St. Thomas Elementary School and graduated from Padua Academy in 1980. In 1984, she completed her Bachelor of Arts Degree at the University of Delaware. Dunning later completed a Master’s Degree in Human Resources Management at Wilmington University while working as a police officer.
Chief Dunning is a graduate of the FBI National Academy and is a member of the Delaware Chapter of the FBI National Academy. She sits on the State Council of Police Training and is a board member of the Kingswood Community Center in Wilmington.
She is married to her husband of 22 years, Bob, and together they have three children.