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

Facebook

Instagram

Paula S. Dance

Paula S. Dance earned her bachelor's degree in criminal justice and criminology from Mount Olive University, She completed the Management Development Program at Pitt Community College and has an advanced law enforcement certificate.

- 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.
- Created equitable pay levels for deputies and detention officers.
- Supports expanding the deployment of Automated External Defibrillators (AED) in jail management.
- Supported the NC RISE (Restoring Individuals Safely and Effectively) program to address inmate mental health.

- 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.

Twitter

Paula is from Martin County, North Carolina. She attended Bear Grass High School. She has a bachelor of science degree in criminal justice and criminology from Mount Olive University. She also holds an advanced law enforcement certificate and completed the management development program at Pitt Community College. She lives with her three children and two grandchildren.

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

Emileigh Crouch

Buket Urgen

Supports continuing the use of body-worn cameras to protect both deputies and the public.

Supports expanding the body-worn camera program for detention officers to enhance protection for both officers and inmates.

Created equitable pay levels for deputies and detention officers.

Expanded the availability of Automated External Defibrillators (AED) in .

County Commissioners Appoint GPD Sergeant to Trustees Board ...

Cops and Barbers

Richie Williams lives in Greenville. He volunteers as a member of the Pitt Community College Board of Trustees and with the Cops and Barbers program.

Greenville police sergeant Richie Williams announces run for sheriff

Richie is currently a sergeant with the Greenville Police Department. He has previously worked as a law enforcement officer in Pitt County for over 20 years.

Richie Williams's campaign for Pitt County Sheriff is his first entry into politics.

Richie's campaign for Pitt County Sheriff is his first entry into politics.

As a Greenville Police Department officer, investigated homicides and worked as a school resource officer.

- As a Greenville Police Department officer, investigated homicides and worked as a school resource officer.

As of January 2, 2026, Richard (Richie) Williams’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Richard (Richie) Williams

Richie Williams

Sgt. Richie Williams is a law enforcement officer with the Greenville Police Department.

Sgt. Richie Williams of the Greenville Police Department has just released his campaign for Pitt County sheriff.

Richie is a police sergeant. He works at the Greenville Police Department, where he has been for 24 years.

Richie is a law enforcement officer with the Greenville Police Department, where he has worked for 24 years. He currently serves as a sergeant.

Richie is a police sergeant. He works at the Greenville Police Department, where he has been for 24 years. He previously served as a patrol officer at the Greenville Police Department.

- 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, Democratic Primary

Election results

Candidates (2)

Compare candidates

Public Safety

Jail Management

Criminal Justice