Mecklenburg County Sheriff Irwin Carmichael has 30 plus years of public safety experience. On December 1, 2014, he took the oath of office and was sworn in as the 44th Sheriff of Mecklenburg County.
A North Carolina native, Sheriff Carmichael was born in rural Long Creek, a few miles north of Charlotte. He began his career in public safety with the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office and the Charlotte Fire Department in 1986. He spent 26 years with CFD before retiring in 2012 as an Engineer.
With the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office, he worked his way to the rank of Captain. He’s interviewed high-profile criminals including Henry Louis Wallace, Van Brett Watkins and Rae Carruth. Over the years, Sheriff Carmichael has been able to analyze how the criminal mind works and now he uses that information in his public service presentations.
As a 9th Degree Black Belt in Kempo Karate, he’s been able to merge his martial arts skills with his knowledge of crime to develop a personal safety and awareness program, Success For Safety, which he presents to organizations, businesses and groups across the county and state. Sheriff Carmichael has written a book, Women’s Awareness Response, and has also produced a child safety and abduction video called Kids Awareness Response.
In addition to a career in public safety, he has dedicated himself to public service, volunteering countless hours and giving back to the very community he grew up in. Sheriff Carmichael lives in Mecklenburg County with his wife, Ronda, and their son, Rodney.