Programs

The Guilford County Sheriff's Office offers a Sheriff's Citizen Academy to Guilford County residents who are interested in learning more about law enforcement operations and the Guilford County Sheriff's Office’s internal processes. The basic goal of the Sheriff's Citizen Academy is to improve law enforcement/community relations through a formalized educational process.

The Sheriff's Citizen Academy will present a wide range of topical training subjects condensed from the standard training curriculum of sheriff's deputies. By presenting this program, we hope to provide a broad educational experience that will acquaint attending citizens with the mission of sheriff's personnel and the requirements of the law to which officers must conform while carrying out their prescribed duties.

Through attendance and participation in the Sheriff's Citizen Academy:

• Citizens will be able to make more informed judgments about the Sheriff's Office and law enforcement activities.
• The Sheriff's Office will become more aware of the feelings and concerns of the community, as expressed by attending citizens.
• Citizens and Sheriff's representatives will have an opportunity to explore together some of the traditional suspicions and misconceptions generally harbored by both citizens and sheriff's deputies. Through open discussion of such suspicions and misconceptions, a more harmonious climate for relationships may be established.

The Academy will consist of two (2) months of sessions that meet once a week, on Thursday evenings, from 6 to 9 p.m., and two (2) labs. A variety of different classes will be provided. The classes will be held at the Guilford County Sheriff’s Office, located at 400 W. Washington St. Greensboro, NC 27401, in the training classroom. Labs will be held at various locations.

Topics

• GCSO Overview and Departments
• Gun Violence and Gang Awareness
• Legal Process
• C.I.T. /Mental Health
• GCSO K-9 Class (Demo)
• Drug Addiction (Opioid Crisis)
• Crime Scene Processing
• Traffic Enforcement Unit
• Detention Overview
• Jail Central Tour/D-TAC (Demo)
• Traffic Stops - Practical Applications/Field Operations and Patrol
• Sheriff Emergency Response Team/Building Searches
• Vehicle Review
• Patrol Car, MRAP, Mobile Command Post, and Dive Team vehicle

Citizens Academy Interest Form

Graduation

Please fill out the proper paperwork and return it to the Sheriff’s Office or contact us with the information below. We hope you will find the Citizen Academy an opportunity to learn more about your Sheriff's Office. Please consider contributing to the betterment of the Sheriff's Office and the Guilford County community by taking part in the Citizen Academy.

Return applications to:

Guilford County Sheriff’s Office
Attention: CRU, Sgt. Stephens
400 W. Washington St. 
Greensboro, NC 27401

Contact Information:

Sergeant C. Stephens
336-641-5313
cstephe@guilfordcountync.gov

Mcpl. P. O'Brien
336-641-6152
pobrien@guilfordcountync.gov

Graduation Application Form

2025 Guilford County Sheriff's Youth Academy

The 2025 Sheriff's Youth Academy is June 23-27. The deadline to apply is May 30, 2025. 

Contact Sergeant C. Stephens at 336-641-5313 or cstephe@guilfordcountync.gov for more information.

Apply online for Sheriffs Youth Academy

Guilford County youth curious about a career in law enforcement now have a place to go for answers!  The Guilford County Sheriff’s Office Youth Academy is an exciting, engaging program which seeks to inspire youth toward a future in public safety by presenting subjects condensed from the training curriculum for law enforcement officers.

• Who:  Youth between ages 13 and 17
• When: Weekdays (seven total days, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
• Where: Orientation is at the Otto Zenke building, 400 W. Washington St. Greensboro. Classes will be at the GCSO Dist. 2 Office, 5440 Millstream Rd. McLeansville
• Enroll by: First-come, first-served basis. Click on the box below for the application link.

This Youth Academy aims to stimulate a positive interest in law enforcement among youth, as well as heighten awareness of the positive aspects of being a good citizen. Young people will learn the basic functions of a law enforcement agency, requirements of a career in law enforcement, and advantages of Explorer Post membership. Some of the blocks of instruction are as follows:

• Career Preparation / Texting & Driving-DWI Prevention Education
• Firearms Simulator Training / Armed Forces, FBI, DEA Q&A
• Traffic Stops/Enforcement / Police Chases
• Physical Fitness Training / Introduction to Drill/Ceremonies
• Vehicle Accident Extraction Demo/DWI Simulator
• Detention Services (Subject to COVID health restrictions)
• Building Searches / K-9 Demo
• SERT – Sheriff Emergency Response Team /Bomb Robot Demo
• Emergency Medical Services/Mental Health
• Aviation Unit
• Archery
• Greensboro Police Department Bomb Robot Demo

Note: This is not a boot camp or rehabilitation academy. At risk students, who have criminal histories, extensive negative involvement with law enforcement and/or the juvenile justice system, poor grades, poor conduct, and/or regular in or out of school suspensions will not be accepted into the program.

Students will be provided with T-shirts and baseball caps as academy uniforms. Students will be required to wear khaki-type cargo pants to complete the academy uniform. Students will also be required to wear a white crew neck T-shirt and black athletic/basketball shorts for physical training. Purchase options for khaki pants will be provided at the orientation meeting. The footwear should be sneakers or athletic training type shoes.

Transportation to and from the academy sites will be the responsibility of the participant and his/her parent/guardian.

The Guilford County Sheriff's Office desires to educate and involve today’s citizens in the community. As such, Sheriff Rogers wants to provide a fresh look at many issues affecting the safety of our citizens today by offering a new course - Safety for Today’s Citizen.  

This course is designed to improve law enforcement and community relations through an educational process with an open forum for discussion. The objective of this course is to reduce the potential for Guilford County citizens becoming the victims of crime. This course will enhance a sense of security and empowerment and reduce citizens’ fear of criminal victimization. This course is strictly for personal enrichment.

After completing this course, participants will:

• Be able to make more informed judgments.
• Have the skills and information to know about fraud and scams.
• Have an opportunity to explore the traditional suspicions and misconceptions harbored by both residents and Sheriff's Deputies.  

Topics covered in this course include home security, identity theft, reporting suspicious activity, gun safety, gun violence, and general safety facts geared towards senior citizens.

If you’re interested in attending Safety for Today’s Citizen, please complete contact form below:

For any questions about this program, please contact Sergeant C. Stephens at 336-641-5313 or cstephe@guilfordcountync.gov.

Safety for Today's Citizen Interest Form

The Junior Deputy program is designed for children aged 7 through 11 to promote strong, solid, patriotic citizenship with a basis for good moral character, integrity, trustworthiness, and the desire to perform good deeds for others. The Junior Deputy Program is not only for those who wish to pursue careers in law enforcement but also offers many opportunities in other areas as well. Involved youth will learn leadership skills, the value of teamwork, and gain important perspective on their roles as citizens in our society. Knowledge gained through training gives participants a better understanding of the roles that law enforcement officers play in our society.

Junior Deputies will attend classes that will introduce them to numerous law enforcement topics including meeting our furriest officers-the K-9 Division! They will be able to observe presentations by the Guilford County Sheriff’s Office, which will teach the Junior Deputy why each unit is special and how it’s used to protect the community. The Junior Deputy Program is designed to keep youth engaged by presenting the material with fun, games, and activities. There is no cost to our citizens for their children to attend.

Requirements of parents and youth joining the GCSO Junior Deputy Program:

• Youth must be seven years of age when joining and must age out at 11 years old.
• Must be a resident of Guilford County.
• Must be willing to complete the GCSO Junior Deputy application.
• A uniform will be issued that must be worn during meetings and activities.
• Parents or guardians must attend all meetings with their child and sign a liability waiver.
• Parents must complete a background check.

Junior Deputies are active in the community and will need to perform a community service task monthly. Many times, these tasks are tied to events requiring law enforcement presence. Junior Deputies can also expect to learn about and/or train in the skills including:

• Gun safety
• Patrol Tactics
• Bullying
• Traffic Safety
• Fingerprinting
• First Aid/CPR
• Internet Safety

The Junior Deputy Program will meet on the first Thursdays of every month from 6 to 7 p.m. Occasionally this schedule will be adjusted to meet training and service requirements.

For any questions about this program, please contact Sergeant C. Stephens at 336-641-5313 or cstephe@guilfordcountync.gov.

Junior Deputy Interest Form

The Guilford County Sheriff's Office is the sponsor of Explorer Post 592, a law enforcement education and community service program chartered by the Boy Scouts of America. The Sheriff's Office follows the rules and guidelines set forth by the Boy Scouts of America for all youth organizations in the operation of Explorer Post 592.

Explorer Post 592 is a great way to learn about the law enforcement profession and begin the preparation process to become a law enforcement officer. Knowledge gained through training gives involved youth a better understanding of the roles that law enforcement officers play in our society. The Explorer program is not only for those who wish to pursue careers in law enforcement, but also offers many opportunities in other areas as well. Involved youth learn leadership skills, the value of teamwork, and gain important perspective on their roles in our society.

Youth ages 12-18 are eligible for membership in the Explorer Post. Each Explorer is eligible to participate in the Post through the end of the summer following his/her 18th birthday, so long as the Explorer remains continuously enrolled in high school.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Must have parent’s permission
• Must be enrolled in school (or actively home-schooled)
• Complete the GCSO’s two-week Summer Youth Academy within 12 months of Post membership
• Must maintain a grade point average of 2.0
• Must have not been convicted of a felony or serious misdemeanor, must not be under indictment for felony or serious misdemeanor, or on probation for any criminal activity
• Must be willing to participate in training, public service, and social activities
• Must be willing to obey all rules of Explorer Post 592, and the Guilford County Sheriff’s Office
• Must be mentally and physically capable of participating in the community service and training activities of Explorer Post 592

Explorer Post 592 normally meets on the third Tuesday of every month at 6 to 8 p.m. Occasionally, this schedule will be adjusted to meet training and service requirements. Any Explorer missing a meeting is required to notify his/her assigned squad leader in advance of the meeting. All Explorers should plan to commit at least 10 hours per month to Post activities, including meeting time.

Explorers are active in the community and perform a community service task monthly. Many times, these tasks are tied into events requiring law enforcement presence. Explorers can also expect to learn about and/or train in the skills required to perform law enforcement tasks, including:

• Patrol Tactics and Techniques
• Crime Scene Investigations
• Special Response Tactics
• Deadly Force Issues
• Courtroom Procedures
• Defensive Tactics
• Jail Operations
• Crime Prevention and Community-Oriented Policing

Contact Sergeant C. Stephens at 336-641-5313 or cstephe@guilfordcountync.gov with any questions. Parents are encouraged to attend the initial meeting with new Explorer Cadets.

Project Lifesaver is a program of proactive involvement and specialized operations that respond to incidents of victims of Alzheimer’s and other related disorders, that has wandered from home and become lost.

The Guilford County Sheriff’s Office and the Pilot Club of Greensboro have partnered to promote Project Lifesaver since 2010 to focus on people who have medical ailments. Project Lifesaver has been around since April 1999. Project Lifesaver is a radio-location system to aid First Responders in finding lost individuals who have Alzheimer’s, Dementia, Down Syndrome, Autism, or mental impairments that might place them at an elevated risk.

Pilot Club of Greensboro is a 501c (3) non-profit organization. Pilot Clubs further support the service of Pilot International by encouraging brain safety and health, preparing youth for service, and supporting those who care for the welfare of others.

There is a monthly fee of $20. This fee may be paid monthly, quarterly, or yearly. This fee goes toward the maintenance of equipment, replacement batteries, and the purchase of additional equipment for use in the ongoing need of the program. If you are unable to pay, funding through partner contributions is available.

Adult Lifesaver Apply Here

Youth Lifesaver Apply Here

The Guilford County Sheriff's Office has partnered with the Greensboro Police Department and Emergency Services to adopt the Yellow Dot Program, which helps first responders more quickly treat residents during an emergency. 

To participate, residents fill out an emergency information sheet with emergency medical information and photos of themselves. They then place a copy of the sheet in their vehicle glove compartment and their home refrigerator and put a yellow dot sticker on the back left window of their vehicle and on the front door of a home.

The yellow dots let first responders know that important medical information is available and where it can be found during an automobile accident, after an in-home injury or in response to an illness – all time sensitive situations. Often during an emergency, people are injured or in shock and cannot communicate personal medical information emergency personnel need to know, nor do they have a family member present who can relay that information. With Yellow Dot, the Emergency Information Sheet does the communication for them.

The Yellow Dot Program, originally started in Connecticut in 2002, is a free service to residents and does not require any application process.

Citizens requesting the Yellow Dot Packages should contact Sergeant C. Stephens at the Guilford County Sheriff's Office by calling 336-641-5313 or e-mail cstephe@guilfordcountync.gov.

Neighborhood Watch, Block Watch, Town Watch, Apartment Watch, Crime Watch - no matter what it's called, this is one of the most effective and least costly answers to crime. Watch groups are a foundation of community crime prevention, they can be a steppingstone to community revitalization.

Getting Started: Meetings, Block Captains, and Maps:

• Form a small planning committee of neighbors to discuss needs, the level of interest, possible challenges, and the Watch concept.
• Contact the local police or sheriffs' department, or local crime prevention organization, to discuss Neighborhood Watch and local crime problems. Invite a law enforcement officer to attend your meeting.
• Publicize your meeting at least one week in advance with door-to-door fliers and follow up with phone calls the day before.
• Select a meeting place that is accessible to people with disabilities.
• Hold an initial meeting to gauge neighbors' interest, establish purpose of program, and begin to identify issues that need to be addressed. Stress that a Watch group is an association of neighbors who look out for each other's families and property, alert the police to any suspicious activities or crime in progress, and work together to make their community a safer and better place to live.
• When the neighborhood decides to adopt the Watch program, elect a chairperson.
• Ask for block captain volunteers who are responsible for relaying information to members on their block, keeping up-to-date information on residents, and making special efforts to involve the elderly, working parents, and young people. Block captains also can serve as liaisons between the neighborhood and the police and communicate information about meetings and crime incidents to all residents.
• Establish a regular means of communicating with Watch members, e.g., newsletter, telephone tree, e-mail, text, fax, etc.
• Prepare a neighborhood map showing names, addresses, and phone numbers of participating households and distribute to members. Block captains keep this map up to date, contacting newcomers to the neighborhood and rechecking occasionally with ongoing participants.

With guidance from a law enforcement agency, the Watch trains its members in home security techniques, observation skills, and crime reporting. Residents also learn about the types of crime that affect the area.

If you are ready to post Neighborhood Watch signs, check with law enforcement to see if they have such eligibility requirements as number of houses that participate in the program. Law enforcement may also be able to provide your program with signs. If not, they can likely tell you where you can order them.

Organizers and block captains must emphasize that Watch groups are not vigilantes and do not assume the role of the police. They only ask neighbors to be alert, observant, and caring—and to report suspicious activity or crimes immediately to the police.

The Watch concept is adaptable. There are Park Watches, Apartment Watches, Window Watches, Boat Watches, School Watches, Realtor Watches, Utility Watches, and Business Watches. A Watch can be organized around any geographic unit.

Tips for Success:

• Hold regular meetings to help residents get to know each other and to collectively decide upon program strategies and activities.
• Consider linking with an existing organization, such as a citizens' association, community development office, tenants' association, housing authority.
• Canvas door-to-door to recruit members.
• Involve everyone - young and old, single, and married, renter, and homeowner.
• Gain support from the police or sheriff's office. This is critical to a Watch group's credibility. These agencies are the major sources of information on local crime patterns, home security, other crime prevention education, and crime reporting.
• Get the information out quickly. Share all kinds of news -- quash rumors.
• Gather the facts about crime in your neighborhood. Check police reports, do victimization surveys, and learn residents' perceptions about crime. Often residents' opinions are not supported by facts, and accurate information can reduce fear of crime.
• Physical conditions like abandoned cars or overgrown vacant lots contribute to crime. Sponsor cleanups, encourage residents to beautify the area, and ask them to turn on outdoor lights at night.

It's essential to celebrate the success of the effort and recognize volunteers' contributions through such events as awards, annual dinners, and parties. To help meet community needs, Neighborhood Watches can sponsor meetings that address broader issues such as drug abuse, gangs, self-protection tactics, isolation of the elderly, crime in the schools, and rape prevention.

Don't forget events like National Night Out or a potluck dinner that gives neighbors a chance to get together. Such items as pins, t-shirts, hats, or coffee mugs with the group's name also enhance identity and pride.

Contact Sergeant C. Stephens at 336-641-5313 or cstephe@guilfordcountync.gov with any questions.

Did You Know: 98% of all alarm calls received are found to be false alarms.

If you accidentally activate your alarm system, you should immediately notify your monitoring station. The ordinance allows the county to penalize any alarm subscriber who has more than four false alarms within a consecutive 12-month period. On the third alarm, the subscriber is sent a warning letter to request that corrective action be taken to stop further alarms. Beginning with the fifth alarm, the subscriber is charged $25 for each additional alarm. Beginning with the tenth alarm, the subscriber is charged $50 for each additional alarm. Beginning with the fourteenth alarm, the subscriber is charged $100 for each additional alarm, which is to be paid to the county tax collector within 14 days of receipt. If the civil penalty is not paid within the time prescribed in the citation, the appropriate personnel of the county may initiate a civil action in the nature of debt to collect such civil penalty.

There are several precautions you can take to help the Guilford County Sheriff's Office serve you better:

• Secure the premises: Be sure that all doors and windows are shut and locked before the alarm systems are armed.
• Maintain systems: Service systems regularly to guard against malfunctions. Periodically contact your monitoring company to stay informed of alarm activations. The Sheriff's Office is not responsible for informing you of system activations.
• Educate others: Be certain that family members and employees know how to properly operate the alarm. Be especially careful to let others know when the pass codes are changed.
• Send representatives: Police officers cannot thoroughly check your home or business if they cannot gain entry. Be sure that your monitoring company has a callout list of individuals who have keys to your property should you not be available to respond.
• Back-up batteries: Have your back-up batteries checked or replaced on a regular basis.
• For more information concerning the Alarm Ordinance or sheriff response, contact a District Office Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• One of the most persistent problems facing local law enforcement today is the increasing demand for their services for responding to false alarms. Many local governments have passed legislation to help deal with the problem, including escalating fines for continued false alarms.

Businesses can help by:

• Maintaining their system - Faulty equipment is a major cause of unnecessary alarms. Simple routine maintenance is crucial to ensure any alarm system’s reliability. Check with your alarm installer or manufacturer to find out what maintenance schedule you should follow. One or two checks per year by an alarm system specialist may be all that is needed to guarantee proper operation.
• Training all users - Every system operator must be familiar with the system and trained in its use. All authorized users must know the code and be notified immediately when management has changed it. They must also know how to quickly notify the alarm monitoring company of an accidental activation.
• Develop a routine in arming the system - Before arming your system, be sure all doors and windows are closed and locked. Be sure no one is left on the premises. If someone remains inside, make them aware that the alarm is being turned on. Finally, supply all system users with an alarm operator’s checklist.
• Additional tips - Keep your alarm company informed of any custodial or cleaning service personnel that may be in your home or business while you are away. Also, keep all motion detector sensors aimed away from heating vents or windows where they may falsely activate due to heat movement (no motion detectors should be used in households with pets such as cats or dogs that can roam about the house while you are gone).

Guilford County Code of County Ordinances - Alarm Systems

The Sheriff’s Roundtable is an advisory group created to foster open communication and collaboration between the Guilford County Sheriff’s Office (GCSO) and key community leaders. This group brings together local stakeholders, including community and religious leaders, nonprofits, healthcare agencies, advocacy organizations, and community residents wanting to help improve communication and support community-oriented policing initiatives.

The primary goal of the Roundtable is to create a space for constructive dialogue, allowing participants to share insights, discuss concerns, and work alongside the Sheriff and key staff to strengthen relationships within the community. The group meets every other month, with meetings offering opportunities to engage in discussion on a variety of topics that affect our community.

In times of crisis, core and select members of the Roundtable may be contacted for more effective and accurate communication, ensuring timely and coordinated responses.

Upcoming Sheriff's Roundtable

Tuesday, May 13, 2025
6-7 p.m.
Otto Zenke Building Classroom
400 W. Washington St., Greensboro, NC 27401

Individuals interested in attending must sign up ahead of time by submitting the "Sheriff's Roundtable Interest Form" below. An email will be sent out prior to each meeting with further details. For more information, please contact SheriffPressOffice@guilfordcountync.gov.

Sheriff's Roundtable Interest Form