The Sheriff’s Office Citizens’ Academy is an eleven-week program designed to provide residents of Mecklenburg and surrounding counties an opportunity to receive first-hand information about how the Sheriff’s Office works.
The Academy is designed to increase understanding between citizens and the Sheriff’s Office through education and participation. The intent is to acquaint citizens with the different roles performed by Detention Officers, Deputy Sheriffs, and Civilian Staff within the criminal justice system and to provide increased understanding of the duties and responsibilities of the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office.
Participation in the Academy requires a commitment of one night a week for an eleven-week period. Classes are held on Tuesday evenings from 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm. During the academy, participants will tour Arrest Processing, Detention Center Central, and Detention Center North.
Activities will include firearms instruction and training, civilian self-defense, and a ride-along with deputy sheriffs.
Staff from civil process, courts, K-9, domestic violence, Motor Unit, Negotiations Unit, Explorer Post, Gun Permits, D.A.R.T., and Resident Programs will discuss their role in achieving our vision of protecting the citizens of Mecklenburg County.
Instructors include Detentions Officers, Deputy Sheriffs and civilian personnel from the Sheriff’s Office. Each instructor has years of training and experience in the operation of the Sheriff’s Office.
The Sheriff’s Office strives to reflect a diverse group of participants. Applicants will be evaluated and notified when they are selected to participate. Applications will be maintained for future academy participation.
Those interested in attending the Sheriff’s Office Citizens’ Academy should call 980-314-5002 for more information or, to apply, click here to fill out an application.
Having difficulty completing the online application? No problem, print and complete the application and fax to 704-432-0730 or mail it to:
MCSO Community Engagement
700 E. Fourth Street
Charlotte, NC 28202
**SCAM ALERT**:
If you receive a call/message from 704-445-9833 stating "You have reached the Warrants/Citation Division of the Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Department" it is a #scam and not from MCSO.
MCSO and local criminal justice partners have worked with the North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts to prepare for the state’s launch of its new electronic warrant system. The NCAOC has encountered challenges with its new system that have impacted local justice systems, processes and access to data. MCSO is continuously working with County IT to circumvent these challenges. All arrest/warrant inquiries can be submitted to the Public Information Office mcsopublicinformation@mecknc.gov and will be processed as soon as data is available or Individuals can call Arrest Processing to look up and verify warrants until the online system is restored, 980-314-5100. We appreciate your patience as we work to modernize and expand access to justice in Mecklenburg County.
On September 19, 2022, the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) adopted a new policy to end regulatory stops for non-moving violations in its most recent amendment to the MCSO Uniform Traffic Enforcement Policy. In collaboration with North Carolina Forward Justice the policy change serves to focus more on hazardous traffic violations and move away from regulatory offenses that have been shown to create disparities and disproportionality in our criminal justice system.
General Order 20
Our office has received several complaints from Mecklenburg County registered sex offenders asking them to submit payment to avoid being arrested for failure to provide a DNA sample. Our agency will never ask for money to avoid a warrant being issued or for an arrest of any offender. If you receive a call from anyone requesting money, please know this is a scam and you should not submit any payment.
SCAM ALERT: We have have received information that individuals identifying themselves as MCSO Deputies are calling citizens and informing them that have warrants for missing jury duty. These calls have come from numbers 704-247-1286 and 404-907-1935. Please be advised that this is a SCAM. MCSO will never call and solicit money in order to avoid arrest. Please stay aware and don’t become a victim.