The Gates County Sheriff's Department services Gates County with nine full-time officers, three auxillary officers (non-paid), and office support staff. We cover 337 square miles with approximately 14 miles of water front along the edge of the Chowan River. We have three major highways allowing access to the South Eastern Tidewater area, and North Eastern North Carolina including the Outer Banks.
The Sheriff, the chief law enforcement officer in Gates County, and his deputies are responsible for the protection of all life and property, the enforcement of all federal and state criminal regulations and codes, the enforcement of all civil actions and orders handed down by the respective courts. Some of the duties include criminal, civil, child support, and juvenile courts where we must provide security for judges, court personnel, jurors, and citizens. Gates County Sheriff's Department has the responsibility for handling all major crimes such as murders, kidnappings, fraud and burglaries, sexual assaults, and narcotic drug enforcement. We handle enforcement of traffic offenses such as drunk driving, speeding, drug interdiction and general North Carolina crimes including tresspassing, misdemeaner larcenies, worthless checks, all criminal and civil papers, security for all schools and school related functions, enforcement of all animal control complaints within the county, enforcement of child custody orders and domestic violence protective orders. Gates County has mutual aid agreements with all surrounding local, state, and federal agencies to assist each other in respective cases.