Paula S. Dance earned her bachelor's degree in criminal justice and criminology from Mount Olive University. 

Paula is the sheriff of Pitt County. She works at the Pitt County Sheriff's Office, where she has been for her 30-year law enforcement career. She previously served as a deputy sheriff and held leadership roles through promotions within the same office.

Paula Dance | NC DOA

Meet the Sheriff | Pitt County Sheriff I North Carolina

Filing off to fast start; Williams challenges Dance for Pitt County sheriff

Paula is the sheriff of Pitt County. She works at the Pitt County Sheriff's Office, where she has been for her 30-year law enforcement career. She previously served as a deputy sheriff.

Paula S. Dance is currently the Sheriff of Pitt County. She was elected in 2018 and is serving her second term.

Pitt County Sheriff Paula S. Dance to seek re-election in 2026

Supports community policing strategies that build trust and engagement, particularly within schools and youth programs.

For Candidate Paula S. Dance on Issue public-safety:  
Supports using data-driven approaches to identify crime trends and allocate resources effectively.

Supports using data-driven approaches to identify crime trends and allocate resources effectively.

Prioritizes key issues such as opioid abuse, human trafficking, and domestic violence.

- Supports community policing strategies that build trust and engagement, particularly within schools and youth programs.
- Supports using data-driven approaches to identify crime trends and allocate resources effectively.
- Prioritizes key issues such as opioid abuse, human trafficking, and domestic violence.

Public Safety

For Candidate Paula S. Dance on Issue jail-management: Supports expanding the body-worn camera program to include all detention officers at the Pitt County Detention Center.

Supports expanding the body-worn camera program to include all detention officers at the Pitt County Detention Center.

Supports implementing a Co-Responder program to better address mental health in jail management.

Supports the NC RISE program to address inmate mental health.

Supported the NC RISE (Restoring Individuals Safely and Effectively) program to address inmate mental health.

- Supports expanding the body-worn camera program to include all detention officers at the Pitt County Detention Center.
- Supports implementing a Co-Responder program to better address mental health in jail management.
- Supported the NC RISE (Restoring Individuals Safely and Effectively) program to address inmate mental health.

Jail Management

Supports using grant funding and alternative solutions to develop programs aimed at reducing recidivism and improving community safety.

- Supports using grant funding and alternative solutions to develop programs aimed at reducing recidivism and improving community safety.

Criminal Justice

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Paula S. Dance

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- The sheriff is responsible for enforcing the law, managing security in jails and courtrooms. They also oversee daily conditions of the jail and inmates in custody and serve legal documents such as warrants and eviction notices. Their ultimate responsibility is to protect the community. 

Pitt Sheriff

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