Topics Related to State Capitol Police

Officers with N.C. State Capitol Police bid one of their K-9 members farewell on Thursday, April 7, 2023, as he entered retirement to live out his golden years with fewer responsibilities. K-9 Balu, a German Shepherd acquired through a cooperative effort with the N.C. State Highway Patrol Canine Unit, joined the force when he was 19 months old to provide an extra level of security around the State Government Complex. 

Protect, prevent and prepare. Employees throughout the Department of Public Safety embody this mission daily as they safeguard and preserve the lives and property of North Carolinians. Across the state DPS employees conduct their jobs in variety of ways supporting the mission. Some work at a desk, patrol the roads, investigate crimes or secure correctional facilities. Wherever the setting, DPS staff are there to protect, prevent and prepare.

A delegation of state officials, including some from the Department of Public Safety, visited the African nation of Botswana in July to share their knowledge with government agencies in that country, as part of the National Guard’s State Partnership Program.

Few would call the field of law enforcement an easy career path to follow. Being a police officer has always had its challenges, but for many women in years past, just getting on the force in a profession so heavily dominated by men was daunting. Societal changes have seen more and more female officers enter police ranks in recent years. That is a positive trend. However, the women who were the first to serve at their departments and who convinced sometimes skeptical brother officers they could hold their own still deserve our thanks.

The first five State Capitol Police Officers in 1967. Left to right: Needham Wilder, Ray Benson, Chief Ray Sorrell, Linwood Carter and Tommy Williams.


State Capitol Police Celebrates Its 50th Anniversary

This month the State Capitol Police celebrated its 50th anniversary, reaching the historic milestone of half a century of service to the people of North Carolina and state officials, employees and visitors.