N H S O   S P O T L I G H T

Updated Thursday, June 26, 2008 08:35 EDT

Homeland Security Alert

WILMINGTON, NC  (25-June-08)  The New Hanover County Sheriff's Office is asking for the public for assistance in identifying two people possibly connected to two break-ins June 16 in Dutch Square.

WILMINGTON, NC  (05-June-08)  Graduation Exercises for the first ever New Hanover County Sheriff's Academy have been announced.  According to First Sergeant D.M. Warnick, Academy Advisor the ceremony will be held at the New Hanover County Historic Courthouse, located at 24 N. 3rd Street, on Wednesday, June 18, 2008 at 6:00pm. 

The Sheriff's Academy, formed in February, is the Basic Law Enforcement Training an accredited program of the North Carolina Criminal Justice Education & Training Standards Commission and the North Carolina Sheriffs' Education & Training Standards Commission. Upon successful completion of this program, trainee's will sit for the comprehensive State certification examination on June 17, 2008, which is one of the many requirements mandated by the North Carolina Administrative Code for employment as a Deputy Sheriff.

In conjunction with Cape Fear Community College the Academy is a full-time program conducted over a period of 16 weeks and consisting of 624 hours of training. Class sessions have been held Monday through Friday starting at 8:00 a.m. with the schedule varying depending upon the training topic of the day.

The general public can view the progress of the trainee's training on this website at Sheriff's Academy 001-08.

WILMINGTON, NC  (02-June-08)  The New Hanover County Sheriff's Office Detective Division needs your help in identifying the individuals in the photographs below.

The individuals in the photographs are suspects in a Breaking & Entering to a Coin-Op machine at the Auto-Track Car Wash, located at 7100 Market Street in Wilmington.  Also pictured is a vehicle that is believed to be a BMW - possibly grey or blue.

If you have any information regarding this investigation or can identify the individuals in the photographs, please contact the Detective Division at (910) 798-4261 or you may email Detective D. Swan.

WILMINGTON, NC  (21-May-08)  Law Enforcement Officers from across North Carolina gathered on the deck of the Battleship to kickoff the 15th Annual "Click It or Ticket" campaign.

According to the National Traffic Safety Administration, 88% of North Carolina drivers are buckling up.  With North Carolina leading the highest percentage of seat belt use, it's still important to boost the percentage even higher.

The Click It or Ticket campaign runs through June 1st. 

WILMINGTON, NC  (19-May-08)  Law Enforcement Officers representing the New Hanover County Sheriff's Office and the Wilmington Police Department participated in the Law Enforcement Torch Run for the Special Olympics.

The torch runs are held across the country as part of a longstanding partnership between law enforcement and the Special Olympics.

The journey began at the Wilmington Police Department, continued down Market Street to Hampstead, where it was passed off to officers with the Pender County Correctional Center.

WILMINGTON, NC  (25-April-08)  The New Hanover County Sheriff's Office in conjunction with Southeastern Center LME & the National Alliance on Mental Illness graduated twenty-four additional CIT certified officers during a ceremony held at Cape Fear Community College's North Campus on Friday.  This course, sponsored by the New Hanover County Sheriff's Office, included officers from various agencies within the region.

The Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Program is a Police-Based Pre-Booking Jail Diversion Program being developed in New Hanover Brunswick, and Pender County.  CIT is a community partnership working with consumers of mental health and families to respond to crisis and resolve each situation in a manner that insures safety, understanding, and services.

The CIT Model, a 40-hour curriculum, offers immediate response to crisis call that present officers face to face with complex issues related to mental illness.  According to Lt. Harold Adams, CIT is: "A great training giving law enforcement real tools to assist people with disabilities".

For more information on the Crisis Intervention Team/Training contact:

Lt. Harold Adams

New Hanover County Sheriff's Office

(910) 798-4157

hadams@nhcgov.com

Carolyn Craddock

Southeastern Center LME

(910) 313-6004

craddock@secmh.org

WILMINGTON, NC  (24-April-08)  The New Hanover County Sheriff's Office received a soft and cuddly donation.

The Wilmington Jaycees delivered more than 500 teddy bears and other stuffed animals to the department Thursday afternoon.

The deputies can use the bears when they respond to domestic violence situations or other tragedies involving children as a way to comfort them.

Daryl McNair with the Wilmington Jaycees said they want to show children that the New Hanover County Sheriff's Department is the good guys no matter what they may hear or think.

The Wilmington Jaycees is a group committed to developing leadership through community service.

  Story Reprinted Courtesy of WECT-TV 6

WILMINGTON, NC  (26-Mar-08)  Over the past several weeks the New Hanover County Sheriff's Office has graduated hundreds of sixth graders in area school from the annual Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) program.  This program is provided by certified D.A.R.E. instructors within the School Resource Officer Unit.

D.A.R.E.'s primary mission is to provide children with the information and skills they need to live drug-and-violence-free lives.  The mission is to equip kids with the tools that will enable them to avoid negative influences and instead, allow them to focus on their strengths and potential. 

Additionally, it establishes positive relationships between students and law enforcement, teachers, parents, and other community leaders.  Every youngster should have the opportunity to grow-up healthy, safe, secure, and equipped with the skills needed to succeed in life.

WILMINGTON, NC  (13-Mar-08)  New Hanover County Sheriff's Office organized a multi-agency checking station that included law enforcement representation from the NC State Highway Patrol, Wilmington Police Department, Wrightsville Beach Police Department, Carolina Beach Police Department, and UNCW Campus Police.  The checking station held on Carolina Beach Road ended with 5 DWI Arrest and 29 Other Violations.

Also onsite one of the six BAT Mobile Units provided by the NC Forensic Tests for Alcohol Branch.  This mobile unit is a 32' bus equipped with the latest technology to assist with the on-scene processing of impaired drivers.

Special Thanks to Barb Lynch for her support and efforts in organizing this event.  Barb Lynch is part of the anti-drunk driving group Justice for Citizens, which monitors the proceedings in courtroom 200.

CASTLE HAYNE, NC  (18-Feb-08)  For the first time in Sheriff's Office history, the New Hanover County Sheriff's Office will train it's own.  Sheriff's Academy 008-01 hit the books on Monday, February 18 for 16 weeks of intense training. 

This Academy is run in conjunction with Cape Fear Community College using  Basic Law Enforcement Training, an accredited program of the North Carolina Criminal Justice Education & Training Standards Commission and the North Carolina Sheriffs' Education & Training Standards Commission. Upon successful completion of this program, recruits will sit for the comprehensive State certification examination, which is one of the many requirements mandated by the North Carolina Administrative Code for employment as a police officer or Deputy Sheriff.

Visit the Sheriff's Academy site to monitor the progress and activities of these recruits.

NHSO Participates with Special Olympics

CAROLINA BEACH (16-Feb-08)  The New Hanover County Sheriff's Office was represented in the 4th Annual Polar Plunge, recently held in Carolina Beach.  A team identified as "The Chain Gang" wearing Orange NHSO Jumpsuits took the plunge into the chilly waters to benefit the Special Olympics of New Hanover County. 

The "Chain Gang", organized by Lieutenant M.D. Payne raised over $2,500 prior to taking the plunge.  All proceeds received from this fundraisers will go to support the Special Olympic Athletes of New Hanover County. View our Slide Show Below.