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328b890b-897c-4328-91a2-2aea9debb6b4 #16, The Elephant in the Room September 30, 2020 Sheriff Charles S. Blackwood Perhaps you are familiar with the phrase, “the elephant in the room,” referring to an important topic people are thinking about but not discussing. As your Sheriff, I don’t want the use of force, particularly deadly force, to become such an elephant. It is a topic all communities should discuss. The possibility of taking a life in the course of a deputy’s duties is a heavy responsibility. My deputies want to protect and serve, go home safely at the end of each shift, AND reach the end of their careers without harming another person. Unjust killing or abuse of power anywhere is abhorrent; and we recognize the added atrocity when such actions are taken by members of the law enforcement profession. I believe it is my duty to talk about use of force at this time, even though it is a difficult, painful topic. In this Lowdown, I will define force and deadly force, address when each may be used, identify some myths, and discuss the applicable judicial standard. In law enforcement, force means the application of physical techniques or tactics, chemical agents, or weapons to another person. It is not force when someone consents to being searched, escorted, handcuffed, or restrained. Law enforcement shall always use only the amount of force reasonably necessary to accomplish a legitimate law enforcement purpose. Our CAD (Computer Aided Dispatch) system documented 190,854 instances of law enforcement activity involving our deputies between January 1, 2017 and August 31, 2020. This includes answering calls for service, checking open doors, conducting traffic stops, helping stranded motorists, serving warrants, etc. Our deputies used force in 48 of these encounters (0.025%). We used deadly force once. Deadly force is force reasonably anticipated and intended to create a substantial likelihood of causing death or very serious injury. It may be used only when the officer or deputy believes no other action will neutralize the threat. Factors to consider before using deadly force include the immediacy and severity of the threat to the officer or others, the severity of the offense, the suspect’s attempts to resist or flee the officer, and the danger to the community. Law enforcement must also consider the conduct of the individual, the disparities in size, strength, injuries, and level of exhaustion between themselves and the subject, the effects of drugs or alcohol, and the subject’s mental state or capacity. In other words, the deputy or officer must consider the totality of the facts and circumstances. There are several prevailing myths about deadly force. One is that a deputy can shoot to wound or disable a person. This is untrue. If deadly force is necessary, deputies are trained to aim for center body mass. To do otherwise reduces the likelihood the deputy will stop the threat, and increases the chance that others will be injured or killed. Another myth is that if someone is shot in the back, the shooting was improper. This myth seems to stem from the “cowboy code” depicted in old westerns. It does not reflect the dynamic nature of a real-life, deadly force situation. For example, someone running away might fire a weapon over his or her shoulder, or he or she might be moving toward a third party with malicious intent. A third myth concerns the belief a deputy should fire a “warning shot” as a last effort to bring the situation under control. A warning shot is not an authorized use of a duty weapon. Once an officer employs deadly force, this decision is reviewed by the standard known as “objective reasonableness.” This standard determines whether the deputy reacted reasonably in light of known facts and circumstances. Deadly force is not reviewed and judged with the benefit of hindsight. In other words, facts learned after the event (a weapon the subject displays turns out to be a toy) are not relevant when determining if the use of force was reasonable at the time. Situations can change suddenly, as evidenced when Henderson County Deputy Ryan Hendrix died earlier this month. A suspect, who initially appeared to comply with an order to show his hands, suddenly retrieved a weapon and shot the deputy in the face. We have a living, breathing contract with the community we serve. Our goal is to hire, train, and retain the best and the brightest deputies and to provide exceptional, ethical, and professional service. We pledge to offer each person respect and dignity and to hold ourselves accountable. We expect the community to hold us accountable as well. We ask to be judged by the work we do here in Orange County. If you have concerns, feedback, or questions about deadly force, or general questions about our services, please call me. Previous Next

7cd6b7d6-cd47-47ba-aa8e-df6a7cbd0616 #1, General Info August 7, 2019 Sheriff Charles S. Blackwood Thank you for reading this, my first column for the News of Orange. I am humbled every day by the trust the voters placed in me when they first elected me as the county’s 47th Sheriff in 2014, and when they reelected me in 2018. Obviously, I find law enforcement interesting and engaging – I chose to make it my life’s work. Each month, through this column, I will attempt to give readers a behind the badge look at what, why, and how we do what we do in the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. Let me know your interests - I can write about philosophy, a day in the life, our K9 team, equipment costs, NARCAN, the anatomy of an eviction, how we interface with 911, and much more. This week, I thought I would start with a little specific history about the Orange County Sheriff’s Office and some general information about the office of the sheriff. In the 267-year history of Orange County, 45 people have taken the oath of office as sheriff (two served twice). Many terms were short. In fact, two sheriffs started and ended their service in the same year: John Hawkins in 1780 and E. H. Ray in 1867. Moreover, it took 22 sheriffs to cover the first 47 years of law enforcement in the county. By contrast, I am only the third sheriff elected in the last 61 years! Voters elected me after Sheriff A. Lindy Pendergrass, the county’s longest serving sheriff, decided not to seek re-election after 32 years. Prior to that, C.D. Knight was sheriff for 24 years – I began my career working for him. Formed in 1752, Orange County takes its name from William of Orange V of England, the land grant holder. It originally consisted of what we now know as Orange, Alamance, Durham, Chatham, Caswell and Person counties. The Orange County Sheriff’s Office began that same year. Alexander Mebane was the first sheriff, serving from 1752-1754. The town of Mebane, originally incorporated as Mebanesville in 1881, bears his name. The concept of a sheriff stretches back through time; one of the earliest mentions is in the Bible, where sheriffs acted as supervisors for King Nebuchadnezzar. The responsibilities of sheriffs carried over to England when King Alfred the Great divided the land into “Shires” and appointed “Rieves” to oversee them. Eventually “shire rieves” became “Sheriff.” In those days, a sheriff administered the law, assembled armies, apprehended offenders, and passed on information (initially by word of mouth) about criminals to neighboring jurisdictions. The Office of the Sheriff made its way across the ocean and into the new world. One of the first acts decided on by the pilgrims at Plymouth Rock, Massachusetts was the formation of a Sheriff/Constable for the settlement. The Sheriff was an officer of the court, collector of public taxes and private levies, keeper of prisons, and the public hangman. As the thirteen colonies became the United States, the Office of Sheriff reflected the new government’s design. North Carolina in 1776 was one of many states that put the position of Sheriff into their state constitution. Of course, at this point, Orange County had already established the office 24 years earlier! Once the position was in the state constitution, voters elected the sheriff and he or she was no longer appointed by the King or Governor. The sheriff is in the unique position of being active in all three branches of the criminal justice system: law enforcement, the courts, and corrections. It is important to realize sheriffs’ offices did not exist in the way we think of them today until the mid-19th century. Citizens used to be legally bound to be ready at the command of the sheriff to help arrest felons. You may be familiar with the concept of a posse from watching westerns on television; a sheriff would deputize ordinary people to help apprehend criminals. People acting on behalf of the sheriff in such situations were subject to the same protections and consequences that the sheriff faced, yet they had no training or experience. People who did not serve when commanded were subject to fines. Today, highly trained deputies assist me with my duties. I am grateful I do not have to grab people off the street every time someone calls 911! I look forward to this monthly chance to give you the lowdown. Please suggest ideas for future columns by emailing my Public Information Officer at astemper@orangecountync.gov . Thank you! Previous Next

5d2ab34d-f98c-467b-a142-0da699916733 #20, Bail Reform Part 1, Criminal Process January 27, 2021 Sheriff Charles S. Blackwood The criminal justice system is complicated; many people are not familiar with the different components operating within it nor do they understand the functions of each. I want to discuss bail reform with readers of The Lowdown; however, to do this, I feel I should first provide some background information about our justice system to better frame the issues and provide important context. To some, it might be a surprising realization that my deputies and I do not put people in jail, nor do we let them out. We certainly have an important role to play in bringing people to justice, but as part of a person’s due process protections, only a judge or a magistrate can put someone into the jail, also known as the detention center. In what might be another surprising realization, jail and prison are not synonyms. They are different places with different purposes. In simplest terms, jail is where someone is incarcerated for the safety of the community before his or her case is resolved within the court system. Prison is where a person serves a criminal sentence after he or she is found guilty by the courts and sentenced to a term of incarceration. There are four different processes a deputy can use to compel a person to appear in court. A deputy uses a citation for low level misdemeanor crimes or violations of local ordinances (for example, littering, public urination, or violation of a noise ordinance). Citations are also used for violations of the motor vehicle code (although most people call these traffic tickets!). The deputy has the authority to issue a citation without appearing before a judicial official. The person cited has the option to pay the associated fines and fees, thereby essentially pleading guilty or responsible to the offense, or to appear in court and present a defense to the charge. Notice that a citation compels a person to court without requiring his or her arrest. Another process is the criminal summons. To obtain one, a deputy must appear before a magistrate and present testimony under oath about a crime. The magistrate will determine if the deputy’s testimony establishes probable cause that the identified person committed the specified crime. Probable cause is more than a suspicion or hunch, but less than absolute certainty. It must be based on objective circumstances. A magistrate is an independent judicial official, not employed by the sheriff’s office. If the magistrate issues a criminal summons, a deputy will then locate the defendant and serve the process. The person is summoned to court, but not arrested or taken into custody. If he or she fails to appear on the assigned court date, further sanctions ensue (usually the judge will issue an order for arrest for failure to appear). Primarily used for misdemeanor charges, a criminal summons can also be issued in some low level felony cases. If ultimately convicted of the charge, the accused may face a financial penalty, community service, or a period of incarceration. The primary distinction between the two remaining processes, arrest warrants and magistrate’s orders, is whether the defendant is present or not when the deputy appears before the magistrate. When an investigation into a crime develops both a suspect and evidence against that person, a deputy will appear before a magistrate to give testimony. If the magistrate finds probable cause that the suspect committed the crime, he or she will enter a warrant for that person’s arrest into a statewide database. Any law enforcement officer who locates the defendant must serve the warrant, arrest the individual, and transport him or her directly back to a magistrate for processing. By contrast, if the deputy catches a person “red-handed” and makes an on-view arrest, he or she will place the person in custody without a warrant, and take the suspect to the magistrate’s office seeking a magistrate’s order. If the magistrate finds probable cause, he or she will process the arrest; if not, he or she will order the person’s immediate release. In next month’s column, I will discuss the initial appearance hearing at which the magistrate establishes pretrial conditions of release at the time of arrest. I will also explore the purpose of bail and the different types. I will conclude this three-part series with a discussion of bail reform in my March column. Previous Next

75d06b94-3d97-4dac-bd0e-c9b34f88ee65 #49, Legislative Process June 28, 2023 Sheriff Charles S. Blackwood Mark Twain said, “Those that respect the law and love sausage should watch neither being made.” I spent a lot of time in Raleigh lately, and he was not wrong! Our government and the legislative process are complex. A law starts with an idea. In simple terms, a legislator sponsors a bill, other legislators sign onto it, and members of the General Assembly continue to tweak, change, and massage it as they pass the proposed legislation between their two chambers. Once Senators and members of the House of Representative pass the final version, the bill moves to the Governor for signature. The idea, of course, is to reach a final product that improves society or cures a problem. Despite generally good intentions, it takes enormous effort not to get stuck with bad law, or good law leading to unforeseen problems. In June 2017, with bi-partisan support, the General Assembly passed new legislation such that North Carolina was no longer the sole state automatically prosecuting juveniles as adults for crimes allegedly committed on or after their sixteenth birthday. The law took effect December 1, 2019. In my opinion, this law synthesized years of research and established a way to improve public safety, reduce juvenile recidivism, provide economic benefit, and avoid tagging young people with permanent criminal records for mistakes made prior to adulthood. However, as we learned when investigators developed a 17-year-old suspect in the tragic murders of Devin Clark and Lyric Woods in September 2022, the law, as written, protected the confidentiality of the juvenile until the judicial system transferred the case to adult court seven weeks later. This provision created a situation where we could only say that the suspect was a juvenile, but not specify the person’s name, age, race, or sex. We could not release a photo or reveal the suspect fled to another state. We could not discuss our progress with the victims’ families; we could only beg for their trust. As rumor and incorrect assumptions flourished in the petri dish of social media, we were silent. While authorities located the suspect, placed him in a juvenile detention facility, and eventually transported him to North Carolina, we could not reassure our community. Confidentiality trumped all other concerns. When a blogger, not subject to the law that tied our hands, publically identified the accused, we were unable to confirm or refute his information. Two serious flaws in the new law quickly became apparent. First, although local public safety was never in jeopardy because the juvenile left the state, we were prohibited from warning people in the city where he fled. “Watch out for a 17 year old,” would be useless information. Second, if the suspect remained in North Carolina but eluded authorities, we would have been unable to ask for the public’s help locating him. He could have gone shopping, hung out at the library, or picked up take-out as long as he avoided law enforcement officers. No one else would know he was a wanted person! Fortunately, sheriffs across the state, with the help of the staff at the North Carolina Sheriffs’ Association, lobbied lawmakers effectively at Legislative Day, an event where sheriffs in North Carolina meet with legislators to discuss public safety issues related to the concerns of their residents and the execution of their duties. We suggested improvements to the law, using the murder of Devin and Lyric to illustrate the need. Members of the General Assembly are currently finalizing a modification to the statute such that law enforcement officers can disclose certain confidential information if a superior court judge issues an order authorizing release. The technicalities are beyond the scope of this article, but the main requirements are that the juvenile allegedly committed a serious enough crime, presents a significant danger to self or others, and good cause exists for the disclosure. I have high hopes this modified bill will pass. It is terrible that it took the death of two teenagers to reveal the flaws in the original law, but necessity is well-known as the mother of invention. I am grateful our governmental system has a process to cure problems. It may be slow and cumbersome at times, but it attempts to respond to the will of the people. Collectively, North Carolina sheriffs convinced legislators the law needed to be modified, and I am proud of our work. If you have concerns about matters of public safety, please come talk to me or reach out to your elected officials in the General Assembly. Previous Next

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77c6f73a-2481-4f6d-b41e-8335a0564ce6 #11, COVID-19 and the Long Thought April 29, 2020 Sheriff Charles S. Blackwood Woody Durham used to say, “Go where you go and do what you do.” I love this phrase and use it often. We “go” in lots of directions and we “do” lots of things as we collectively carry out the mission of the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. As professionals dedicated to safety and service, our work is essential. We are used to working during snow storms and hurricanes, missing holidays with our families, and pulling extra hours in times of local emergency. Although we recently altered some of the ways we “go where we go and do what we do,” COVID-19 did not necessitate radical change to service delivery for our road deputies and our detention officers. And it didn’t take COVID-19 for people to recognize or appreciate the service we provide. A quick glance through our Facebook feed reveals numerous examples of the kind and generous ways this community has long shown its appreciation for us. These are anxious, troubling times. That said, I have enjoyed seeing people recognize that heroes are everywhere, not just in police cars, ambulances, and fire trucks. Take the medical profession, for example. Doctors and nurses always go where they go and do what they do, but suddenly we are noticing them because they are going and doing in unimaginable conditions. There are too many sick people, there is not enough personal protective equipment, there is significant concern about bringing the virus home to family members, and co-workers becoming infected. But still they press on. Additionally, many of us have a new appreciation for the heroics of the behind-the-scenes workers in the medical matrix. Respiratory therapists, intake workers, certified nursing assistants, environmental staff, lab technicians, 911 dispatchers, phlebotomists, and more are among the many professionals whose service to the rest of us is now in the spotlight. These professionals also continue to go where they go and do what they do; it just took COVID-19 for us to be aware of their everyday heroics. We are also more aware of the critical roles that exist all along the food chain. When emergency orders required the closing of restaurants and bars, government officials simultaneously assured us grocery stores would remain open. We suddenly realized cashiers are on the front lines. Not only do they interact with dozens of potentially infected people every hour, they work well within the six feet prescribed by physical distance guidelines, and they engage in hand-to-hand financial transactions. As we noticed them, we also began to recognize the essential service of the employees stocking shelves, the drivers transporting food, the farmers growing crops, and the people serving in processing plants of all types. These people also go where they go and do what they do. Like law enforcement, they are doing what they’ve always done; but unlike law enforcement, it took this crisis for people to notice and for people to appreciate. There are others - teachers and delivery drivers are obvious examples. And most of us seeking to entertain ourselves are turning to the work of artists: poets, authors, filmmakers, and musicians. It is impossible to quantify their contributions to society - and to our ability to tolerate this time in history. Speaking of musicians, I want to close with something singer/songwriter James Taylor said in a Master Class interview with Oprah Winfrey. “You actually have to really defend your time in order to have a long thought.” Taylor, of course, was talking about the process of songwriting, but his words struck me deeply. The long thought is what allows us to see the people and professions that have been hiding in plain sight. They have been going where they go and doing what they do all along, but we have been too busy to recognize how critical they are. I am realizing that while we are sheltering from this virus, we are also being sheltered from the extremely high level of distraction in the modern world. We are able to have the long thought. I certainly miss my old way of life, and I will be glad to have it back. I think interaction with others is to a human what water and light are to a plant. But this time isn’t all bad. Today before noon, I had six conversations at the office that were real, and deep, and different from the interactions I was having pre-pandemic. We suddenly have more time to listen and reflect. There is something to be said for slow, simple, and rich. In other words, there is something to be said for the beauty of the long thought – the recognition that heroes are everywhere, going where they go, and doing what they do. Stay safe. Wash your hands. Be good to one another, and call us if you need us. Previous Next

9c5197f1-67af-43eb-8508-c201b32744ad #82, Feed Them March 25, 2026 Sheriff Charles S. Blackwood “Love people. Cook them tasty food.” Those are six powerful words. It is purely coincidental—but nonetheless appropriate—that we christened our office cooking group Grill Team 6. A team of deputies comprises this cadre of chefs, and a rotating cast of characters provides frequent assistance and hilarious banter. Meanwhile, the Sheriff’s Office Citizens’ Organization (SOCO) is the nonprofit 501(c)(3) that contributes financial support to and hands-on help with office initiatives, fundraising efforts, and food-prep projects. SOCO and Grill Team 6 will again showcase their partnership on April 29 at our annual and highly anticipated Chicken Pickin’ fundraiser. That day, they fire up a dozen giant grills at 5:00 a.m. and prepare barbecued chicken plates with green beans, potatoes, and a roll. Members of the Timeless Cruizers Car Club donate the chicken and assist with grilling duties. SOCO helps with the behind-the-scenes prep necessary for such an ambitious undertaking. They also source supplies, help plate and package approximately 1,000 meals, and sell tickets. Drop by the office at 106 E. Margaret Lane in Hillsborough to purchase yours! In 2023, SOCO used Chicken Pickin’ proceeds to help purchase 67 Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) for law enforcement and the South Orange Rescue Squad—its largest single donation to date. In the last two years, among many other contributions, SOCO has funded meals for disaster volunteers after Chantal, purchased CPR mannequins and child safety seats, replaced AED batteries and pads, ordered a new US flag for the office, and supported our annual Shop with the Sheriff event. SOCO also helps us with our roasted corn-on-the-cob sale at Hog Day, an annual community event in September. Grill Team 6 knows just the right ratio of soaking to roasting time, and SOCO offers every customer a dazzling array of seasonings for a customized flavor experience. Every year, SOCO uses some of the corn sale revenue to award the Sheriff Lindy Pendergrass Memorial Scholarship to a high school senior planning to study criminal justice in college. My team and I are committed to helping people age in place with dignity and support. We regularly prepare a hot dog lunch for up to 75 residents experiencing food insecurity or who are homebound. Grill Team 6 and Detention Center dietary staff cook the franks and fixings. SOCO packages the meals before we load them into Meals on Wheels vehicles for delivery. We also believe in supporting those who visit or travel through Orange County. Therefore, we occasionally prepare food for families staying at the Ronald McDonald House in Chapel Hill while UNC Hospitals care for their children. It is incredibly stressful to be away from home, worried about your child, surrounded by strangers, and far from your usual sources of comfort and support. Coping with all of that—and figuring out how to feed yourself every day—is nearly impossible. Once again, we rely on SOCO to help us prepare, package, and serve the meals. SOCO volunteers make snow cones and serve popcorn at community events. They bring us lunch on Law Enforcement Appreciation Day. They show up to support and feed school bus drivers at our annual appreciation breakfast. But believe it or not, they are not only about food! Last year, by my conservative estimate, they provided more than 1,500 hours of service, saving tens of thousands of taxpayer dollars. Many help with Shop with the Sheriff. Some come to the office to shred and file important documents. Others helps fingerprint those who need background checks for work. If we need a photographer at a community event and my communications manager is busy, we call Rob. When it’s time to put classroom materials together for Citizens’ Academy, Ken is the wizard. Want to get involved? Buy tickets for the Chicken Pickin’—on sale now through April 20, 2026. Order ten or more plates and we will deliver. Consider attending our Citizens’ Academy, where you can have a good time, learn about the inner workings of our office, and qualify to become a SOCO member upon graduation. Plus, thanks to SOCO, we usually provide dinner! Clearly, we take Virginia Woolf to heart. She said, “One cannot think well, love well, or sleep well, if one has not dined well.” Take it from me—you also can’t Sheriff well! When we feed people, we are connecting with the community we serve, and SOCO volunteers help us do it. Bon appétit! Previous Next

cb5f28db-064e-4e7e-a257-9bfc9448f69e #7, Non-Lethal Force January 29, 2020 Sheriff Charles S. Blackwood Deputies often respond to calls involving conflict, extreme emotion, and sometimes violence. A deputy faced with a tense, volatile situation has two primary goals: de-escalate the situation without the use of lethal force and provide for the safety of everyone at the scene, including him or herself. Obviously, deputies arrive at a call with powerful tools at their disposal. They have non-lethal tools, such as handcuffs and pepper spray, and a highly lethal weapon, a Glock.40 semi-automatic handgun. If trained and certified, a deputy will also have a Taser, a conducted electrical weapon. Although rarely lethal, a Taser causes intense pain, and a person may suffer injury after falling to the ground. However necessary it is for a public safety professional to have tools like firearms and Tasers, they are tools of last resort. In this month’s edition of The Lowdown, I want to discuss two training initiatives I employ in my office designed to provide deputies with the skills and confidence to achieve their primary goals without the use of lethal force. The first is a system pioneered by Dr. George Thompson known as verbal judo. Thompson’s research convinced him that injuries almost always resulted from an escalation in a situation that occurred after law enforcement arrived at a scene, rather than from violence already underway prior to the arrival. He believed those trained in verbal judo would stay calmer in the face of the elevated emotions of others, deflect verbal abuse directed their way, and effectively lower hostile emotions through the use of empathy. Although Thompson died in 2001, his beliefs echo through my office and countless other law enforcement agencies across the nation. I arranged for the Verbal Judo Institute to train my deputies because I wanted them to be as competent with words as they are with firearms. I firmly agree with Thompson’s main premise: it is safer for everyone if deputies are able to achieve voluntary compliance through verbal judo, rather than use the strong arm of the law to force it. The Institute not only taught deputies new skills, it also increased their confidence and lowered their anxiety in interactions with distressed, emotionally charged individuals. Deputies with verbal judo skills tend to exude an air of calm confidence others pick up on. This confidence is also built through the other training initiative we’ve invested in since I became Sheriff. Gracie Survival Tactics (GST) is a modification of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu developed by Helio Gracie in the 1920s. The system helps peace officers and military personnel prevail even against larger, stronger opponents using skills such as leverage and redirection. The system recognizes the unique concerns of law enforcement, for example, if a deputy has to go “hands on” with someone, he or she not only needs to gain control of that person with the minimum amount of force, the deputy also has to do so while protecting his or her own weapon. Jon Daniel, one of my deputies, introduced me to his friend, Sunny Yu, who owns a Gracie dojo in Durham. In order to hold a GST “train the trainer” workshop, at least 40 people must attend. Sunny helped us enroll 64 participants, mostly from our agency and the surrounding area, and some from other states and countries. Members of the Gracie family came from California and spent five intensive days teaching participants the techniques of their proprietary system. Attendees practiced extensively and learned progressive methods to teach the skills to colleagues. We also invested in wrestling mats and had them installed under the detention center. Every week, my deputies and officers from the surrounding area have the opportunity to practice “rolling” with each other to improve their skills and build muscle memory. GST, like verbal judo, is a game changer. A deputy should never look to fight, but it is ironic that those best at grappling need to do it least often. This is because they tend to project a quiet confidence that minimizes someone else’s desire to test them. This confidence also reduces a deputy’s anxiety in a tense situation, helping him or her better remember and utilize other skills and knowledge to help resolve the situation safely. Our goal is to protect and serve everyone – even those who are agitated, intoxicated, angry, and perhaps looking to do us harm. We practice verbal judo and GST because they are effective, non-lethal ways to help us accomplish this goal. Previous Next

ad70eebb-e015-4721-9700-d63ef6da6518 #5, Uniform and Gear Costs November 6, 2019 Sheriff Charles S. Blackwood When you see one of my deputies out and about, you no doubt notice the uniform and a lot of gear. You might wonder, “What does all that cost?” Today, I will give you the financial lowdown. Let’s assume a crisp November morning. The deputy leaves home in a long-sleeved shirt wearing their duty jacket. The cost of footwear, slacks, shirt, jacket, belts, and hat comes to $881.39. I say belts because a deputy generally wears two – a regular one and a duty belt designed to carry equipment. The duty belt clips around the wearer’s waist; it is linked to the inner belt by four small rings called belt keepers. This $881.39 price tag also includes the deputy’s badge, patches, and credentials. Aside from tactical boots ($135.00), the campaign hat is the most expensive article. This distinctive headwear readily identifies the wearer as law enforcement, and it shields the deputy from sun and rain. Such a hat costs $115.15 plus $127.00 for the badge, cords, and a rainproof cover. Earlier this year, I implemented a significant uniform change. Deputies now wear an outer carrier vest over their uniform shirts; this vest contains custom fit bullet-resistant panels. Additionally, it allows deputies to remove some gear from their duty belt, and carry it in the vest pockets. Deputies used to wear this protection under their shirts. This compressed the wearer’s ribcage, and it did not expand or contract as the deputy changed position. Moreover, all gear needed to hang on the deputy’s belt, which made it difficult to sit comfortably while driving or maintain appropriate posture while standing. The new outer carriers result in less hip and back pain; they help a deputy stay cooler; and they minimize fatigue caused by the physical compression of the older style vests. The protective panels cost $670.00, the outer carrier is $75.00, and the deputy’s name plate is $20.00. Grants help pay for this protection. The cost thus far for our deputy’s attire is $1626.39. A deputy carries certain tools at all times. Some are small and relatively inexpensive, such as a pouch for latex gloves, a set of handcuffs, and a handcuff carrier. A can of pepper spray and a holder adds another $45.00. The tally for these smaller items is $120.00. Each deputy also has items for occasional use: a rain jacket, a traffic safety vest, and a tie for formal duties such as funeral escorts. Combined, these cost $181.53. Body cameras are also new to our agency this year; we started using Motorola Remote Speaker Mic Cameras in June. These combine a high resolution camera, a microphone, and a speaker into a compact device placed on the deputy’s chest. We were slow and deliberate in approaching this new frontier in law enforcement. Such cameras are a significant investment; we therefore gathered feedback from other agencies about various models before making our selection. The $880.00 price tag includes the camera, the battery, and a cord to tether the device to our radios. Speaking of radios, it may surprise some to learn the radio is our most vital piece of equipment. The ability to communicate immediately without “dead zones” is essential for safety and service. A deputy must be able to hear calls as they are dispatched, communicate with each other, ask for help, or radio for additional resources ALL of the time, no matter where they are in the county. My deputies carry Motorola APX 8000 radios; each costs $6,831.25 including a service contract. Lieutenant Whitehurst works with our radio vendor to negotiate the best price. He frequently tells me, “It is not a radio. It is a computer you talk on,” and he is right. The technology in these things is amazing, lifesaving, and expensive. All deputies carry a Glock .40 semi-automatic handgun. With a holster, ammunition, and magazines this weapon costs $612.00. If certified, a deputy also carries a Taser, a conducted electrical weapon, providing the option to subdue someone in a dangerous situation using less-than-lethal force. Tasers are $1400, plus another $30.00 for the holder. Returning to our initial question about cost, a deputy leaves home with $11,681.17 in clothing and equipment. Almost all of this is required by the North Carolina Sheriffs' Education and Training Standards Commission for a certified deputy; every penny helps deliver service and reduce risk. The deputy then climbs into a patrol vehicle. For the lowdown on the cost of that, tune in next month! Previous Next

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

250abe32-bcbc-4f6b-8d04-5a47ac7fecd7 #76, Train Tracks are Dangerous Places September 24, 2025 Sheriff Charles S. Blackwood In the United States, a train strikes a person or a vehicle every three hours. That’s approximately eight collisions a day – an astonishing figure. The bad news continues: North Carolina has the thirteenth highest number of rail trespass deaths in the country. September is Train Track Safety Month. You may have seen social media posts from Operation Lifesaver warning people to respect train tracks. Their annual campaign, “See Tracks? Think Train” raises awareness about rail safety. Train tracks are critical national infrastructure, and they are very dangerous places. It would be absurd to walk in the middle of a highway or airport runway, but people don’t seem to have the same healthy respect for the risks of railroads. Obviously, trains cannot swerve, and it can take them more than a mile to stop. By the time an engineer sees a vehicle or a person on the tracks, he or she can only apply the brakes, blow the horn, and watch in terror while waiting for the inevitable – a helpless, terrible feeling. Walking alongside the tracks is only marginally safer, as the rough, rocky ground can cause unexpected falls or twisted ankles. I hate to imagine stumbling onto the track and being unable to stand back up while a train thunders at me. Moreover, people who walk along rail lines often fail to realize that trains are wider than tracks; they typically have a significant overhang on each side. It may come as a surprise that railroad tracks and the surrounding right of way are not public thoroughfares. Tracks – even abandoned ones – are private property, and if a person is on them without permission, he or she is trespassing. People trespass for a variety of reasons. Some are simply using the tracks as the shortest distance between two points, and they do not understand the dangers. Other people, often social media users, select tracks as a background for photography. Cell phone cameras have been around for about two decades now. It is probably not coincidental that rail trespass deaths over that period increased 44% (from 498 fatalities in 2002 to 718 in 2023). Too many people seek the rugged aesthetic of wood, metal, and sky, but rail lines have nothing to do with graduations, engagements, album cover art, or holiday greeting cards. It seems that one would hear a train coming, but typically, the sound only arrives seconds before the machine itself. Modern trains glide on tracks with very little friction. The crushed rock under the tracks further dampens the noise. The sound waves radiate outward and behind the train more than they project forward. Especially in an environment with significant levels of ambient noise, such as nearby vehicle traffic or wind blowing through trees, a person in front of the train may not hear it until it is only seconds from impact. People almost never survive a direct hit, and if they do, they generally suffer catastrophic, life-changing injuries. The chance of survival is only slightly better when the train strikes someone from the side. If the train throws a person clear – rather than under the train, off a bridge, or into a solid object – he or she might live, but the odds are still terrible. It is surprisingly difficult to judge the speed of a moving train. One reason is that larger objects appear to be moving more slowly than smaller ones traveling at the same speed. Airplanes fly fast, yet when I watch one descend over the interstate into RDU airport, it appears to crawl through the sky. A second optical illusion compounds the difficulty of judging train speed. When humans view parallel lines stretching into the distance, our eyes perceive them as getting closer to each other until they meet at the horizon, even though our brains know tracks remain the same distance apart. This phenomenon causes the train to appear both farther away and slower than it is, a dangerous combination. Drivers should never attempt to race through a marked crossing before the arms come down. I’ve seen people get trapped between the barriers with disastrous consequences. Likewise, motorists should stop, look both ways, and proceed with extreme caution at junctures without physical barriers and flashing lights. Trains are not required to sound their horns at all crossings; therefore, silence does not mean safety. Except for passengers, employees, and those with explicit permission from the railroad, no one belongs on train tracks. Trains are fast, surprisingly quiet, and unable to stop quickly. A shortcut or a photograph is not worth the risk. Previous Next

Professional Standards division at the Orange Country Sheriff's Office. Professional Standards Professional Training & Development Excellence The Training Division ensures our deputies and detention officers maintain the highest standards of law enforcement proficiency through comprehensive, ongoing education, and specialized training programs. Core Training Programs: State mandated annual certification maintenance NC professional certificate/service awards Annual specialized firearms and taser instruction and qualification Career development opportunities Field Training Program oversight Crisis Intervention Training (CIT) Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Commitment to Excellence In 2021, the Orange County Sheriff's Office was selected as one of seven agencies in North Carolina to pilot the North Carolina Law Enforcement Accreditation (NCLEA) program. This initiative requires: Compliance with 115 professional standards External assessment of safety protocols Review of operational policies Evaluation of training programs Verification of best practices The accreditation process culminates in an on-site assessment. If successful the agency is granted accreditation. The agency has to re-certify periodically, ensuring continuing compliance. major nate fearrington Major Nate Fearrington (pictured to the left) leads the Professional Standards Division. Contact him with any questions: Email: nfearrington@orangecountync.gov Phone: (919) 245-2919 lieutenant kim walker Lieutenant Kim Walker manages day-to-day Professional Standards Services. Contact her with any questions: Email: kiwalker@orangecountync.gov Phone: (919) 245-2913