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17939d96-3f0b-4608-baf8-299b4f0daa8b #6, Cost of Cruiser and Gear December 4, 2019 Sheriff Charles S. Blackwood Last month, I shared with readers the cost of a deputy’s uniform and personal equipment. This month, I provide the financial lowdown of the cost of a patrol vehicle and related equipment. A patrol deputy responds to emergencies, prevents crime, enforces the law, and provides support services throughout the 401-square miles of Orange County. We use Dodge Chargers, equipped with a patrol package, which includes a Hemi engine, a heavy duty suspension, performance brakes, and specialized seats to accommodate duty belts. The vehicle’s base price is $30,000. I am proud of the look of our fleet. We began phasing out our brown patrol cars in 2014, slowly replacing them with white Chargers. I subscribe to a forward moving philosophy; therefore I incorporate a star that appears to be moving forward into our new logo. I call it a dynamic star, and I like its clean, professional appearance. The graphics package, including installation, is $1612.50 per car. A siren alerts motorists when a deputy is responding to an emergency, and a speaker projects the deputy’s voice when necessary. The siren, speaker, microphone holder, and mounting bracket cost $1331.25. A cruiser also has front, side, and rear emergency lights for visibility and safety, and spot and alley lights for security sweeps and scene illumination. This lighting equipment, including the hardware, cables, power inverters, and cost of installation, adds $3810.95 to the tally. The patrol car is a mobile office. In it, a deputy receives and transmits information, writes reports, prints citations, enters information into statewide databases, makes phone calls, investigates incidents, and stays up-to-date on agency policy. The workhorses for these tasks are the in-car radio system ($6000), and a laptop computer ($2000) with a mouse ($30) and printer ($311.52). The computer must be securely mounted in the car ($379) and the accompanying equipment is either housed within or mounted to a specially designed console box ($693.49), which doubles as an arm rest and cup holder. Patrol cars have a camera mounted on the dashboard which activates automatically when a deputy turns on the lights and siren; it also records a short amount of pre-event data. The dash camera’s primary purpose is to record traffic stops, both for accountability and investigative purposes. A car also has a rear facing camera, used to capture activity and speech in the backseat when a deputy transports someone. The vehicle is modified for such purposes with the installation of a compartment ($838.49) designed to keep people safe and secure during transport. The advantages of the in-car cameras go beyond visual documentation. The metadata they collect – data about data – are also crucial. The data include the date, time, speed, and GPS coordinates of the car. This is helpful, for example, if a deputy needs to go back and search for weapons or evidence a suspect may have thrown from his or her car during a chase. The cameras run about $4000 for the pair. Cars are also equipped with a $55 Geotab, a fleet management device that constantly collects information about the car, including whether it is on or off, its location, and how fast it is travelling. Three kits (fingerprint, first aid, and evidence collection) are in every car. Each is also stocked with a flotation device, gas mask, fire extinguisher, and a disposable biohazard suit. Combined, these tools cost $555. Although not every car has a radar unit, the percentage is significant enough that I include the $2500 cost in the price of our hypothetical car, now totaling $54,117.20. There are three other pieces of equipment I want to mention, even though not all cars have them. Lidar is an instrument that uses laser technology to measure the speed of a motorist. Lidar is handheld, especially useful on crowded roadways, and costs $3000. The second specialty device is an automated external defibrillator (AED). Sudden cardiac arrest is one of the biggest killers out there; we therefore need AEDs to effectively protect and serve our community. Eventually, I want an AED in every patrol car, but at $1,500 each, it will take some time to reach that goal. The third piece of equipment is a $750 rifle, which requires a $67.67 trunk mount. So, here is the lowdown: most cars cost $54,117.20 and some cost $59,434.87. I hope this accounting increases your understanding of the complexity and variety of deputies’ duties, and provides you an appreciation for the amount of equipment used in the performance of their professional responsibilities. Previous Next

945d9872-a71c-446e-b734-0a2cadb6b693 < Back ONE ARRESTED, ONE STILL AT LARGE FOLLOWING BREAK IN June 30, 2025 Hillsborough, NC (June 30, 2025) – Investigators with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office took out charges against two men following a residential breaking and entering of an unoccupied dwelling between the end of May and the first week of June. Thieves stole more than $10,000 worth of property from the home, including building materials and appliances. The property owner discovered the thefts on June 7, 2025, when he returned to a house he is renovating off Highway 70A just outside of the Hillsborough city limits. He had last been at the address on May 29. Beginning with evidence located on scene, investigators established probable cause to obtain a search warrant for the Rougemont residence of William Cox, 34. Upon execution of that warrant, they located some of the stolen property. After further investigation, they obtained a search warrant for a storage building in Durham County where they recovered additional items. On June 18, 2025, law enforcement officers arrested Cox, serving him with warrants for breaking and entering, larceny after breaking and entering, and conspiracy. He is currently out on bond. Additionally, investigators took out warrants for Zacharia Warnke, 37, also of Rougemont, charging him with the same crimes. Warnke’s whereabouts are unknown, although investigators believe he is still in the local area. If you have information about Warnke’s whereabouts, please call Investigator Campbell at (919) 245-2907. ### Previous Next 1/0

e62edb20-57fa-4b27-b8e3-173d0476d32d #65, New Phone App October 30, 2024 Sheriff Charles S. Blackwood Recently, we launched a new custom smartphone application to enhance the connection between our office and Orange County residents and visitors. Our goal is to make it easier for users to learn about our work, request various services, and communicate with our staff. TheSheriffApp.com, a brand of OCV, LLC., specializes in mobile app development for sheriffs’ offices and public safety organizations across the country. They worked with our communications staff to develop an app that provides quick access to items of public interest and is simple to use. In just a few clicks, users can find answers to frequently asked questions, learn about fingerprinting, express interest in employment, apply for many of the services we offer, submit a tip, commend or complain about an employee, learn about detention center policies, access our social media posts, and read our press releases. According to OCV Partner and CRO Kevin Cummings, “Over 80 percent of people in the United States own and use smartphones as their primary means of communication. Mobile apps offer agencies a better way to alert, inform, and prepare the public. Apps allow public safety agencies the ability to reach and serve their citizens where they are: their smartphones.” A notification bar sits at the top of the home page. This tool helps us push important information straight to subscribers’ mobile devices. In addition to automatic alerts from the National Weather Service, users receive our press releases, crime news, and traffic alerts. We believe community members will benefit from receiving important news in a timely manner directly on their phones, and when relevant, we will pair the written content with photos of, for example, road hazards and traffic conditions. The app also contains convenient, direct links to our social media pages. The first two feature buttons in the app, the FAQ section and the Submit a Tip option, sit right under the notification bar. This placement is deliberate. We want users to find answers to common inquiries and efficiently report information about crime, traffic, illegal activity, or share concerns about the safety of our students and schools. Many of the feature buttons on our old app merely directed users to the relevant section of our web page. Unfortunately, that page, currently undergoing revision, became rather text heavy over the years. Often a person would end up viewing a PDF, which can be cumbersome to navigate on a small screen. We wanted user-friendly content on our new app; most of it is native to the program and does not require routing people to the web to find what they need. We hope navigating the app is intuitive, with information organized into clear, concise, and understandable chunks. We also want people to locate information where they expect it might be, not only where we think it fits best. For example, although the app has a designated fingerprinting section on the home screen, we also included information about that service in the FAQ section. Likewise, our detention center is still a relatively new facility. Information about its location is included within the Detention feature button, the Sheriff’s Welcome section, and in the FAQ area. We are particularly pleased with the Property Catalog, as we know most people struggle to stay organized and keep up with purchase dates, serial numbers, and the value of their possessions. But when people call us about lost or stolen property, we need that information to increase the likelihood of recovery. With the click of a button and a few keystrokes, app users can input the name and relevant details about their valuables into a private catalog and add photos to the file. In the event of a stolen vehicle, the user can share the VIN and license plate numbers, an image, and any other relevant info with the responding deputy without delay instead of searching for the records at home or calling the Department of Motor Vehicles. This tool is also great for storing serial numbers of televisions, chain saws, computers, etc. The free app is now available for download from the App Store and Google Play by searching for “Orange County Sheriff, NC” or by clicking here . Be sure you include NC in your search; many other states also have Orange Counties. Or better yet, point your phone’s camera at the QR code below for a direct download. Please explore the app and help us improve it by providing feedback. Contact Alicia Stemper, our communications manager, with your suggestions at (919) 245-2963 or email her at astemper@orangecountync.gov . Previous Next

538b730f-0551-4ea0-800a-757393947f9f #38, NC Sheriff's Association July 27, 2022 Sheriff Charles S. Blackwood Earlier this week, the 100 sheriffs of our state elected and installed me as the president of the North Carolina Sheriffs’ Association (NCSA). Serving as the president of this group is a high honor and a tremendous responsibility, which I am only able to accept with the support of my family and my team here at the office. The Association’s mission is to protect, promote, preserve, and enhance the Office of Sheriff in North Carolina through education, training, and legislative initiatives that increase public safety and protect the rights of the residents of North Carolina. The office of sheriff has a history over 1200 years old, dating back to the Middle Ages. The role grew and changed over the centuries, and English settlers “imported” a version of the position to the New World as they sought personal freedom alongside the rule of law. The first American counties were established in Virginia; one of these counties elected a sheriff in 1651, before the United States was even an independent nation. Today, with few exceptions, a sheriff is an elected official serving as the chief law-enforcement officer for his or her county. Although a police chief has similar duties within a municipality, a sheriff typically has additional responsibilities such as providing for the security of the courthouses, processing civil paperwork, assisting people with pistol purchase and concealed weapon permits, and maintaining a detention facility and providing for the needs of those confined therein. This is the NCSA’s 100th anniversary, and we have accomplished a great deal. I am proud to lead us into a second century of service. As society continues to change, we must constantly adapt to the needs of our communities. Our organization works closely with the National Association of Chiefs of Police and the National Sheriffs’ Association to explore best practices and solutions for the problems and opportunities of modern life. As president, I will serve as the face of the NCSA. Through it, I will speak to state and national media outlets about the Association’s position on topics of interest, and I will represent our group during times of loss. I also represent the NCSA at the meetings of many groups, such as the National Sheriffs’ Association, the State Bureau of Investigation, the NC General Assembly, and the North Carolina Victims’ Assistance Network. I make appointments within the Association, including to the Auditing, Training, and Legislative committees, and to external groups such as the Domestic Preparedness and Readiness Committee, the NC Fully Autonomous Vehicle Committee, and the Sexual Assault Kit Initiative. It’s extremely important that I get this presidency right. For the next year, not only will I be making decisions based on the goals and values of Orange County voters, I will also be discussing statewide issues such as mental health, immigration, gun violence, and the legalization of marijuana with 99 other sheriffs. Other sheriffs serve communities with different priorities and viewpoints regarding these critically important and incredibly complex topics. We will wrestle with our differences and arrive at a policy position that we feel is the best path forward for the entire state. We will then discuss the Association’s recommendation with our legislative delegations, letting them know if the NCSA opposes, supports, or takes no position on the issue at hand. Let me give you an example. As a group, Orange County voters favor the legalization of marijuana more than voters in conservative counties do. As an association, the NCSA recently supported legislation regarding legalizing medical marijuana for use at home. Voters in some counties might be disappointed by this; voters in other counties might feel we did not go far enough. The reality is many hands touch a bill as it moves along the path to becoming a state law. As a body of law-enforcement leaders, we must advocate for what is in the overall best interests of the state, and we are more influential when we speak with one voice. Our opinions and perspectives as law-enforcement leaders are vital to helping ensure that any laws passed in the State Legislature are manageable, fair, and do not create problems that will be detrimental to our communities. It is a considerable honor to be elected as the Sheriff of a county, and I am so pleased my fellow sheriffs trust me to lead our Association. I promise to do my best with these dual responsibilities. I remain grateful to the voters for their confidence in me, and to my team for joining me in service to this community. Previous Next

Learn more about Detainee Mail at the Orange County Detention Center. Detainee Mail Sending Mail to Detainees: Write to your loved one at: [Resident's Name] Orange County Detention Center Facility ID Number 5150 PO Box 18247 Greensboro, NC 27419 All mail is scanned and delivered electronically to detainees. Books & Magazines: Want to send reading materials? Have them shipped directly from vendors like Amazon to: [Resident's Name] Orange County Detention Center 1200 US 70 West Hillsborough, NC 27278 ⚠️ Important: Unacceptable items cannot be returned and will be destroyed. Make sure to check what items are acceptable below: ACCEPTABLE ITEMS: - Letters (up to 10 pages) - Simple greeting cards - Photos and drawings - All items must be on standard paper (8.5x11in. or smaller) UNACCEPTABLE ITEMS: - Original/official documents - Money in any form - Cards with 3D, pop-up, or musical elements - Items with glitter, glue, or tape - Explicit or inappropriate content - Physical packages

c7841497-c055-42a6-b4ca-9cab37142f72 #47, Handgun Policies and Technologies April 26, 2023 Sheriff Charles S. Blackwood Late last month, the General Assembly voted to override Governor Roy Cooper’s veto of Senate Bill 41, Guarantee 2nd Amendment Freedom and Protections, effectively repealing state laws regarding issuance of pistol purchase permits by NC sheriffs. As a result, my office immediately stopped processing applications. Many people felt this change was an unsettling loss in the fight for better gun control. I want to share some of the policies and technologies used to keep guns out of the wrong hands and to hold accountable those who use them with criminal intent. Although North Carolinians no longer need a permit to purchase a pistol, the laws regarding carrying concealed handguns remain unchanged. Orange County residents wishing to carry a concealed handgun must complete an eight-hour handgun safety class approved by the state’s Criminal Justice Education and Standards Commission. Residents must then come to my office to apply for a concealed handgun permit, and my staff determines whether the applicants are eligible to receive one. Despite some misunderstanding, Senate Bill 41 does not deregulate gun sales. A firearms dealer must complete an instant background check on a buyer at the time of purchase. Known as a NICS check, this process is designed to reveal if the purchaser has any automatic disqualifiers. Examples of such disqualifiers include conviction of a crime punishable by more than a year in prison, a dishonorable discharge from the armed forces, or being the subject of certain court orders regarding intimate partner violence or danger to a child. If the NICS check reveals any disqualification, the dealer will deny the sale. Private purchases or transfers do not require a background check; however, it is illegal to knowingly transfer a handgun to a person who cannot lawfully possess it. Of course, people intent on carrying or using weapons sometimes steal weapons if they cannot legally purchase them. Unfortunately, many people do not store their legally acquired guns safely. Perhaps they want the weapon readily at hand; unfortunately, thieves know the accessible hiding spots. The same principle applies to the locations where motorists stash weapons – under the seat, in the center console, or in the glove compartment. Thieves check these places first. Please contact my office for a free gun lock or more information about safe firearm storage. Some people who cannot legally possess weapons seek to purchase them through unlawful means. A 2019 Department of Justice survey found that 43 percent of criminals purchased their weapons on the black market. Another eleven percent had someone else buy the weapon(s) for them; this practice is known as a straw purchase. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) formed a network of Crime Gun Intelligence Centers in 2016. This interagency collaboration collects, analyzes, and shares information about guns encountered by law enforcement, including guns used in crimes, and those that are lost, found, or of concern in domestic violence situations. The Intelligence Centers identify links using eTrace, a secure network that attempts to trace guns back to the point of last legal purchase. Studying these links can help develop leads that may link a suspect to a firearm, identify patterns that reveal firearms trafficking, and determine who engages in straw purchases. The ATF’s Crime Gun Intelligence Centers also use the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN) as part of their violent crime reduction strategy. This technology helps investigators match ballistics evidence from separate crime scenes to reveal connections. When someone discharges a weapon, the firing pin strikes the shell casing causing an explosion, which propels the bullet forward down the barrel. Meanwhile, the extractor hooks the casing and pulls it from the chamber, ejecting it from the weapon. Both actions mark the shell casing in a unique fashion. In perhaps overly simplistic terms, each gun has a fingerprint it transfers to the shell casing. NIBIN scans and compares ballistic evidence from shooting scenes and recovered firearms, building a list of similar results. Trained technicians then work to determine whether the identified connection can be confirmed as a match. In fiscal year 2022, NIBIN locations acquired over 631,000 pieces of evidence and generated over 189,000 leads. The NIBIN technology efficiently processes such volume, which will continue to increase as more agencies submit evidence. Society continues to wrestle with balancing Second Amendment freedoms against the right to live safely in our communities. There are no obvious or easy answers. Please know I am working here in Orange County, and across the state through my involvement with the North Carolina Sheriffs’ Association, to study the problems and find opportunities to propose workable solutions. I welcome your thoughts and ideas. Previous Next

5fdc302b-f236-42e4-a0ec-2f6380bce922 #41, Citizen's Academy October 26, 2022 Sheriff Charles S. Blackwood When you see a law-enforcement vehicle race by with lights on and sirens blaring, do you wonder where it is going? Do you enjoy police shows on television and wonder if they are realistic? Are you intrigued by radios, body-worn cameras, and forensic science? I am happy to report that after a COVID-19-induced hiatus of more than two years, we recently resumed hosting our Citizens’ Academy. Participants meet on Wednesday nights to learn about all aspects of their sheriff’s office in this eight-week program. I say “their sheriff’s office” deliberately. This is not MY office. It is the office of the people who elected me to represent them. Born out of the idea that we want to tell our story to the public we serve, we started the academy in September 2017. People want to know where we go, why we go, and what we do when we get there. The Citizens’ Academy is designed to answer those questions and more. We offer an in-depth look into the many divisions at our office. Class members learn about the duties of a patrol deputy, the techniques of a criminal investigator, and the complexity of civil process. We introduce them to our courtroom responsibilities and take them on a tour of the county detention facility. They also take a field trip to the 911 communication center, hear about our Crisis Unit, and listen to a presentation by school resource officers. Without exception, each class reports they had no idea how much we do, and how complicated and nuanced it is to provide the comprehensive services a sheriff’s office offers. The Academy is informational, and it is also experiential. On the first night, after introductions and an office overview, class members drive our golf cart through a cone course wearing special goggles that simulate the perception of a drunk driver. A few weeks later, investigators will teach about evidence collection and crime scene techniques, and challenge students to collect clues and develop suspects by processing a mock crime scene. On the night the students learn about criminal and constitutional law, they will have the opportunity to use the Shoot/Don’t Shoot training simulator. This technology presents users with realistic situations that require them to make complicated decisions under pressure. Do they shoot the suspect before he shoots them? Or wait – was the object in his hand actually a cell phone? Short of actually working here, the Citizens’ Academy is the very best way for a person to develop a comprehensive understanding of what we do and how we function. Ten students are currently enrolled; our alumni include seventy-one others. We enjoy the opportunity to bridge the gap between our office and community members. We find people have preconceived and often inaccurate perceptions about the law-enforcement profession and the people who work within it. Academy organizer, Lieutenant Daniel Roberson, reports the most rewarding part of the process for him is repeatedly hearing from participants that they are astounded when they learn how multi-faceted our work is and how many initiatives and partnerships we have geared toward improving the quality of life in Orange County. He looks forward to starting a youth academy for teens and young adults considering a career in law enforcement. We think they, too, will be surprised and excited to learn how many different specializations a person can develop within a law-enforcement career. For example, we have drone pilots, K9 handlers, a tactical unit, and traffic-enforcement specialists. At the end of the class, participants are invited to continue their association with the office through our VISION (Volunteers in Service in Our Neighborhoods) program. This group works with us at community and ceremonial events, helps out in the office, and raises funds for special projects, such as the equipment we use for our Lifetrack program. Our current class represents a broad range of life experience and professional accomplishments. One student is considering possible career paths after working as a registered nurse. Another is a former police officer and evidence technician who enrolled because he wanted to learn about recent changes and new approaches in the profession. A third person joined the class after moving to the area. He felt attending would be a good way to learn about the Hillsborough/Orange County community, and he wanted to understand more about the difference between a police department and a sheriff’s office. If you would like to apply for an upcoming Citizens’ Academy, please email Lt. Roberson at troberson@orangecountync.gov . Previous Next

33ca0a9a-c0e4-4ecb-926c-b84c25694af6 #54, Field Training Program November 29, 2023 Sheriff Charles S. Blackwood Law enforcement, widely considered an honorable, respected career, is one of the few professions accessible to those with or without college degrees. Bonus: it boasts interesting work, supportive colleagues, a path for career advancement, ample overtime opportunities, and a stable retirement plan. The pre-employment process requires commitment and organization. A candidate must be a United States citizen, at least 21 years old, who possesses a high school diploma (or GED) and a driver’s license. Additionally, the person must be in good physical and psychological health and pass a background check and a polygraph. Once hired, new employees usually work in the detention center providing for the safety and well-being of those in our custody while learning more about our office. They then attend the five-week Detention Officer Certification Course, sanctioned by the North Carolina Sheriffs’ Education and Training Standards Commission. After employees earn certification, they return to the Detention Center and resume their important responsibilities there. Eventually, those who perform well and are interested can request to attend Basic Law Enforcement Training - a physically and academically rigorous 20-week program containing 36 separate blocks of instruction. Cadets must then pass the state exam to become certified law enforcement officers. But wait - there’s more! New deputies enter a comprehensive, four-phase field training program, designed to acclimate them to the culture of our agency, translate classroom knowledge into real-world competence, and equip them with the experiences and relationships necessary for success. During the initial orientation phase, the new deputy works at the front desk, explores divisions within the office, and visits the telecommunications center. In Phase 2, the trainee enters the world of patrol, beginning with a 12-hour ride-along shift with his or her Field Training Officer (FTO). The new deputy observes the work, and orients to the different in-car systems, such as the radio, emergency equipment, cameras, and computer programs. As early as the second day, the trainee starts driving, talking on the radio, and responding to calls under the FTO’s supervision. Phase 2 lasts a minimum of four weeks, which is 168 work hours, and focuses on the basics, such as interacting with people, writing reports, responding to alarms, and learning policy, procedure, county ordinances, and general statutes. During Phase 2, the novice also acclimates to the physical and emotional stresses of the role, which can only be understood through experience. In Phase 3, a secondary FTO takes over, exposing the newcomer to a different supervisory style. The two-trainee system helps avoid blind spots or favoritism, and it serves as an effective check and balance. During this phase, as the deputy becomes increasingly independent, the FTO starts stepping back and observing more. At least once during each phase of the program, the shift supervisor accompanies the trainee to get a feel for this new squad member. Often, we see that the academic stars of BLET struggle with the social aspects of the job and find it difficult to be effective in chaotic situations. Likewise, those with an abundance of personality and charisma sometimes need help mastering the more technical and procedural aspects of their responsibilities. The supervisor adjusts the length of field training based on what he or she discovers about the individual’s style and needs. Trainees must demonstrate competence with a set of 50 specific skills, including mastering radio protocols, executing search warrants, effecting an arrest, processing evidence, responding to residential alarms, and navigating domestic conflicts. They must also conduct traffic stops (including DWIs); investigate an unattended death; and work a missing person case. For experiences the new officer does not encounter – perhaps a bank robbery – he or she must verbally review procedures, concerns, risks, governing law, and other relevant factors with his or her FTO. In the final phase of the program, the new deputy returns to his or her original FTO, who now wears plain clothes and allows the trainee to handle calls unassisted. Functioning as a shadow, the FTO only steps in if necessary. It takes experience and good judgement to allow someone to make the mistakes that provide learning opportunities, but not the ones that will cause a safety issue or a negative impact on the office. Successful completion of field training is not a given, although the entire process can be lengthened if a deputy needs a little extra time to master the nuances of the role. Although training eventually ends, the mentoring relationship between a new deputy and his or her FTO rarely does. A successful career requires far more than an individual’s personal performance. It takes the investment and dedication of experienced co-workers who form an ever-lengthening bridge between the past and the future of the law enforcement profession. Previous Next

8bc22b8c-495e-4862-8f68-6e0eb2e229be #24, Intern Program May 26, 2021 Sheriff Charles S. Blackwood This month, three interns completed semester-long experiences with my office. I want to tell you about them and encourage other students to consider coming to learn and grow with us. Kayla Kaminski had the most specialized experience of the three, coming to us with a strong interest in family services or assisting those experiencing domestic violence. As part of her degree requirements at Greensboro College, she worked with us four days a week, receiving four hours of academic credit. Serving almost exclusively with our Crisis Unit, Kayla learned about electronically filing domestic violence protective orders. She assisted Amber Keith-Drowns with domestic violence court and direct service to those affected by intimate partner violence. She also observed the judicial process in action as Deputy Faircloth served orders on defendants. Required by her program to complete a project that would benefit the office after her internship concluded, Kayla worked with Investigator Woodlief to create a spreadsheet tracking the inventory of sexual assault kits and serving as a database for communication with survivors. Kayla worked two extra weeks with us because she didn’t want to leave. She found “there was never a wrong question to ask,” and she reported “There is a lot of passion and respect here for the people we serve.” Terrance Higgins-Keziah, also interned for course credit, working an average of 28 hours a week while also taking on-line courses before graduating with a BS in Criminal Justice and a minor in Russian Studies from East Carolina University. He wrote a summary of his experience in the form of a thank you note to Lieutenant Whitehurst, through whom Terrance arranged his internship. My favorite line of that letter was, “I truly believe there is something magical about your agency.” What a compliment! Terrance learned about the nuanced civil process laws, helped people with weapon permit applications and background checks, gained insight into domestic violence, observed some of the technology used by our evidence technicians, rode with patrol on night shift, observed a death investigation, and field tested an instruction manual Investigator Baldwin wrote for our 3D laser camera. When asked if he had any advice for future interns with the office, Terrance said, “When I started, and this is applicable to life in general, I wish I knew to be more self- initiating…a lot of what ended up being most valuable started with me asking. Reach out to people around you – everyone is here for your benefit.” Our youngest intern, Moses King, 17, attended East Chapel Hill High School before receiving his GED. His goal is to become an officer in the United States Marine Corps. I met Moses while we were in his neighborhood investigating a threat to public safety. This was shortly after George Floyd’s murder; Moses reports his parents “freaked” to hear he had an interaction with law enforcement. Moses’s father came to see me a few days later, and together we agreed Moses might benefit from an internship with my office. Frankly, Moses was not very happy about the arrangement! Moses now reports he didn’t think law enforcement officers were approachable – he thought they were almost robots. I am so gratified he learned, in his words, that we are “actual people who care about you.” Moses became a valuable member of our team, helping answer inquiries at the front desk and fingerprinting people who needed that service. He had a particular interest in learning about patrol vehicles and the wireless technology involved with the lights and sirens. He therefore spent time working with Captain Fearrington and visiting the motor pool. In addition to exploring technology, meeting all sorts of people, and learning different perspectives, Moses found his experiences here were a catalyst for discussions with his friends, who generally had negative preconceived notions about law enforcement. Moses reports his friends have softened. He says when they see a deputy now, they think, “There go Moses’s people.” Moses will have an internship with a police department in Rwanda this summer. When he returns to the states, he will attend the Citadel this fall. I can’t tell you how proud I am to be one of Moses’s people! If you are considering an internship with our office, please explore our website and learn more about us. Of particular interest might be two videos you will find at www.ocsonc.com/video. If you think there is a place for you here, please contact me or Lt. Whitehurst. Let’s talk about whether we can design an experience to help you achieve your goals. Previous Next

ea16fd67-1ea1-41c7-bfdf-92a9b6a7beee #72, Peelian Principles Guide May 28, 2025 Sheriff Charles S. Blackwood In 1829, Sir Robert Peel established three core ideas and nine principles central to ethical law enforcement. I encourage you to look him up. Often considered the father of modern policing, his almost 200-year-old work has aged quite well. The “Peelian Principles” continue to underpin my beliefs about ethical law enforcement and community relations. In brief, Peel’s core ideas state that law enforcement’s primary goal is to prevent crime, not catch criminals; public support is the key to crime prevention; and officers gain this support by respecting the community. I agree with Peel’s thinking. My team knows I expect professional, ethical, and empathetic behavior as we interact with the people we serve, and we enjoy widespread support. We recognize how special this support is. In recent years, the news media has pushed a narrative of widespread dissatisfaction with law enforcement, amplifying the voices of those clamoring to defund the police. Moreover, and perhaps most disingenuously, journalists hammered away at stories of extensive vacancies and officer attrition as if there were a dishonorable explanation for the departures. They frequently failed to provide the highly relevant context that the 1994 Crime Bill and financial grants from the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) program enabled the hiring of over 100,000 new officers and deputies in the United States leading to a significant reduction in crime. Thirty years later, those hires are completing their careers and earning retirement, just as do other civil servants such as teachers, health department workers, and courtroom clerks. Likewise, our agency congratulated many experienced deputies and detention officers on their retirements in recent years. Fortunately, we have not suffered the number of vacancies other agencies faced. We continue to enjoy a steady influx of talent as we hire people new to the profession and offer positions to seasoned professionals from other agencies. I like to think the word is out that the Orange County Sheriff’s Office delivers community confidence and safety, and it is easy to sell products you believe in. Success breeds success. Businesses want to open in communities where people feel safe to move about and explore. Criminals tend to avoid places bustling with positive energy, and as people feel safer, they stay out longer, spend more, and talk about how much they love the area in which they live. Thriving businesses seek out such vibrant communities, and as they grow, so does the commercial tax base. Local government then has additional resources to invest in schools and use for infrastructure improvements. As a rising tide lifts all boats, a thriving community also makes the area more attractive to people who want a public safety career. My office currently operates at 93% of our employment capacity, an enviable statistic. I am fortunate to have a recruiter who works hard to find qualified candidates, especially those who are a good fit for our agency. We serve in an honorable profession, and it is one with a lower barrier to entry than some others, as a college degree is not a prerequisite. A motivated candidate can complete the application process in 30-45 days. Once hired, a person starts working in the detention center, gaining experience, and eventually choosing whether to continue serving there, or to pursue the additional training necessary to become a deputy. If the new-employee already holds law enforcement certification when hired, they generally work in the detention center for a shorter period, meeting colleagues, learning our culture, and waiting for an opening in the field-training program. We begin incorporating new team members into the fabric of our agency immediately. First, and most importantly, we orient them to the standard of our office and make it clear that everyone must commit to upholding it. Second, we provide strong leadership and support from the top down as new employees acclimate to our brand of service-delivery. Third, we demonstrate that we value our employees, and we do so by investing in appropriate training and high-quality equipment. When people feel both committed to the mission and valued by the team, a culture of stability grows, benefitting the individual, the agency, and the broader community. Someone will wear the badge. I want to find the best and the brightest to have that privilege. Once hired, it is my job to lead in such a way that our employees believe serving with us is work worthy of their time and talents. If you or someone you know might be a good fit, please call Sergeant Glenn Powell at 919-245-2944. ### Previous Next

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445713af-7362-4fc8-a99f-ba66e3a46c3b #19, Year in Review, 2020 December 30, 2020 Sheriff Charles S. Blackwood If you enjoy a good understatement, how’s this one? This year has been difficult. However, despite the pandemics of COVID-19 and systemic racism, and in many ways because of them, there have been upsides. For example, we are working with other components of the justice system and involved stakeholders in new ways. These efforts have resulted in innovative approaches and initiatives that are both efficient and economical. We can see this in bond reform and other efforts to lower the population in the Detention Center. These new procedures allow for the effective and safe pre-trial management of alleged offenders in the community. I will write more about this subject in a future column. For this year-end-review edition of The Lowdown, I asked my staff to reflect on other 2020 upsides. Captain Nate Fearrington related how much he enjoyed our annual Shop with a Sheriff event. He said, “Even though we couldn’t actually shop with the kids due to COVID-19, we were still able to purchase wish list items and bundle them into Santa sacks for special delivery. It made me feel good to hear employees and other shoppers say how proud they were that we ‘made a way out of no way’ and continued our tradition.” Tom Parker, one of our IT Specialists, mentioned several highlights. We converted many desktop computers to notebooks, allowing staff to work remotely. He is really excited about SmartForce, a new work management system used to communicate more efficiently across divisions. Additionally, a new database streamlined our training records, and we are preparing to launch a new app, giving the public tools to interface with us directly from their Smartphones. Watch for that in 2021. Captain Tina Sykes, who directs our School Resource Officer Program as well as the Training Division, noted, “We donated more than 6,200 items of food to the Orange County Schools Holiday Food Drive. We pitted the nine divisions in the office against each other, and the competition was ferocious. It tickled me to see them try to outdo each other, driving up the value of the matching donation promised by the Command Staff.” Tim Jones, Captain of the Detention Division, answered my query with a personal anecdote. “I had a very unfortunate tib/fib break to my leg, which kind of summed up the year 2020. I was out of work for over a month. I quickly learned the friendships made at the Office extend way past quitting time. From calls, to visits, and of course, food, I was astonished with the amount of caring I received from folks at the Sheriff’s Office and from the wider community. Ashley Woodlief, a sergeant with the Criminal Investigations Division, noted the year began with the sentencing of John Russell Whit – the long awaited conclusion to a 1998 case in which a lawn mowing crew found the skeletonized remains of a 10-year-old boy. Closing that cold case helped another agency solve his mother’s related murder. Woodlief and her colleagues are pleased that for the fifth year in a row, they solved all new homicide cases, and she is relieved there were only two! Deputy David Funk is one of our three K9 handlers. He reports the dogs assisted with over 300 calls, located 23 people, found 117 items of evidence, and sniffed out 10.25 pounds of narcotics. Individual highlights included K9 Tres running a successful track following a hit and run, despite the track being almost five hours old. Callie located a suspect from a different wreck who had buried himself and a large amount of narcotics, while Zar helped the Highway Patrol locate a firearm thrown from a vehicle during a traffic stop. Community Services Division Major Kevin Jones is most proud of the way his division and the Department on Aging collaborated to take the place of the volunteers who usually deliver meals to seniors in the community. “Due to COVID-19, our deputies, in partnership with the municipal police departments, delivered more than 2,000 hot lunches, emphasizing the ‘serve’ part of our duties. We also coordinated the distribution of more than 2,200 food boxes, and we delivered more than 2,000 meal kits donated by Food Lion.” My Chief Deputy Jamison Sykes summed it up well. He said, “This was a hard year, and a strange year. We are ending it tired. But it’s the good kind of tired; the kind where you know you worked hard and you will sleep well, and you are excited to see what tomorrow will bring.” Previous Next