COMMITMENT​

The Pitt County Sheriff’s Office recognizes the important role the news media plays in keeping our community informed. We are committed to maintaining a professional, responsive, and transparent relationship with members of the media by providing accurate and timely information whenever possible, while respecting the requirements of North Carolina law, the integrity of ongoing investigations, and the privacy and rights of those involved.

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We value open communication and will work diligently to assist journalists with public records requests, media inquiries, interviews, and other information needs.

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POINT OF CONTACT

Lt. Lee Darnell serves as our Public Information Officer (PIO) and is the media's point of contact for all information needs. ​

Please direct your requests to Lt. Darnell by e-mail at:

​lee.darnell@pittcountync.gov

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For quicker service, you may ​text or call Lt. Darnell's cell phone to let him know that an e-mail information request has been submitted.

(252) 714-8656

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FREQUENT ISSUES/QUESTIONS/CONCERNS

​Upon your request, the Sheriff’s Office will gladly provide you with information that is required to be public under applicable law.  Accordingly, we will not release records or portions of records that are specifically excluded from the definition of public records or otherwise protected from disclosure by statute.

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• Body-Worn Camera Recordings:

  • Under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 132-1.4A(b), law-enforcement recordings are not public records under Chapter 132.

  • Release of such recordings is governed by N.C. Gen. Stat. § 132-1.4A(g) and requires an order of the superior court.

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• Dash/Squad Camera Recordings:

  • The Pitt County Sheriff’s Office does not utilize dash cameras and therefore has no dash-camera recordings responsive to this request.

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• Suspect Interrogation/Interview Recordings:

  • These materials constitute criminal investigation records and are not public records under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 132-1.4(a). Applicable disclosure restrictions also include N.C. Gen. Stat. § 15A-904. We will not be able to provide you with these records.

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• Complete Incident/Offense Reports:

  • Criminal investigation records are not public records under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 132-1.4(a).  We will not be able to provide you with records from criminal investigations.

  • However, certain information from criminal investigations is expressly public pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. § 132-1.4(c), including the time, date, location, and nature of the reported violation and specified information concerning an arrest.  We are happy to help you by providing this information per your request.​

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• Personnel Records:

  • Under G.S. § 153A-98, County employee personnel files are confidential except for information specifically designated as public.

  • Investigative materials concerning possible criminal conduct by an employee receive additional protection under § 153A-98(c1).

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• Personal Identifying Information:

  • Under G.S. § 132-1.10, Social Security numbers and other protected identifying information must be withheld or redacted.

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• Security Information:

  • Under G.S. § 132-1.7, certain information concerning security systems, vulnerabilities, confinement facilities, and law-enforcement security practices is not a public record.

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• Wait Times for the Release of Records:

  • North Carolina General Statute § 132-6(a) requires custodians to furnish copies of public records “as promptly as possible,” but does not establish a specific deadline or number of days for responding to a request.

  • The timeframe for responding depends on the scope and breadth of the request, the volume and complexity of records involved, the need for review or redaction, previously received requests, and the custodian’s other responsibilities.

  • Accordingly, requests will be processed and fulfilled as promptly as reasonably possible based on the circumstances of each request.

  • The absence of an immediate response does not mean the request has been disregarded; rather, the Office must balance each request with the work necessary to properly identify, review, and produce responsive records.