The Pitt County Sheriff’s Office has been moving steadily forward over these last 8 years, and Sheriff Paula Dance is ready to lead that progress forward with another term.

​

Sheriff Paula Dance is a proven, experienced, and dedicated law enforcement professional with more than 30 years of service, including 30 years within a Sheriff’s Office and eight years serving as your elected Sheriff. She is seeking your support for re-election in 2026 to continue building a safer and stronger community for all residents.

​

Thank you for taking the time to learn more about her leadership, accomplishments, and vision for Pitt County. If you need additional information, please contact the campaign, we’re here to help.

​

Leadership Built on Integrity and Service

​

Serving others has always been at the core of Sheriff Dance’s values and career. Her commitment to fairness, accountability, and community-centered service has guided her work and inspired her decision to seek re-election.

​

Before being first elected Sheriff in 2018, she served as Major of the Pitt County Sheriff’s Office, the third highest-ranking position. Her selection as Sheriff was the natural continuation of her proven leadership and experience with the administration and operations of a large sheriff’s office.

​

Sheriff Dance was elected in 2018 and re-elected in 2022.  Her journey in these first two terms was rooted in community service, hard work, transparency, and common sense, with a belief that every citizen deserves a safe neighborhood and real opportunities to succeed.

​

“The opportunity to serve these past two terms has been a profound honor,” Sheriff Dance said. “My focus has been, and will remain, protecting all of our citizens and supporting the men and women of our office who serve this community. In the next term, we’ll build on our accomplishments and continue making new strides with our community partners.”

​

Experience Matters, And It Shows

​

Sheriff Dance understands the policies, responsibilities, and expectations that define a sheriff’s office as a unique law enforcement entity with statutory requirements beyond those of other law enforcement agencies.  She understands because she has lived them throughout her career. Her decades of hands-on experience within a sheriff’s office have given her the skills, judgment, and deep insight needed to establish a strong vision for the county and to make thoughtful decisions that protect both public safety and the well-being of the community.

​

Under her guidance as Sheriff, the sheriff’s office has earned respect and a solid reputation for employing a balanced, professional approach that emphasizes accountability, compassion, and common-sense policing.

​

Committed to Excellence in Law Enforcement

​

Good law enforcement is expected, but great law enforcement requires a strong degree of leadership, purpose, and deep understanding of the community being served. That level of service comes with the decades of experience and heart for service of Sheriff Paula Dance.

Sheriff Dance believes every interaction is an opportunity to build trust, strengthen relationships, and improve quality of life. Through experience, she learned when firmness is required and when compassion is the most important tool.

 

That’s who Sheriff Paula Dance is, and why she is asking for your support in her re-election.