The Wilson Police Department welcomes the public to participate in the safeguarding of the community on various levels. We have programs and policies created to educate and involve Wilson citizens of all age groups and interests.

Below are examples of just a glimpse of our community involvement.

Keeping Youth Active

Police Athletic League

The purpose of PAL is to build and strengthen our partnership and relationship with our youth.  Building a positive relationship between our youth and Wilson Police members is priceless.  We offer numerous camps, mentoring programs, and tutoring services for our youth.  Visit our Wilson Police PAL website at https://wilsonpdpal.org for more information.

If you would like to talk to someone about PAL call Major Benny Boykin at  252-296-3029 or visit our Facebook Page. 

Check out this video: Every youth needs a PAL.

 Register for camps here.

Services

Citizen Survey

We welcome your comments, ideas, and feedback. Please take a moment to complete this survey and tell us how we are doing and how we can improve to better serve you. 

Ride-A-Long Program

Must be 18 years of age. Download and fill out all three forms below and return to the PD notarized.

The Ride-A-Long application has been revised and is under the Word templates. Date of birth, Sex and Driver’s License Number were added per our policy. Please remember that an AOC check has to be done prior to a ride-a-long being approved if you process the paperwork yourself. All original paperwork including the AOC check needs to be brought to the Wilson Police Department. If you have any questions, please call 252-399-2323.

Ride Along PDF Downloads:

• Ride Along Application
• Ride Along Guidelines
• Ride Along Waiver

Operation Know Me

The Wilson Police Department with the support of the Arc of Wilson, will be hosting a month of awareness for local law enforcement on dealing with children and adults with developmental disabilities.

As part of the initiative, the police department seeks to identify addresses and persons with developmental disabilities in Wilson County. Our goal is to identify homes officers may respond to, so that officers will be prepared to deal with a situation involving an autistic (or other developmentally disabled) person. This will allow officers to adjust their response to suit the situation. For example, if an officer receives a call for a 911 hang up and the officer is notified that it is a home with an autistic child, they may choose to respond without lights and sirens, so as to reduce the stress and fear the child might have with regard to the noise and flashing lights. The pre-notification will also allow the officer to adjust his presence in the home. Many officers do not recognize signs of a person who is autistic because of subtlety or infrequent interactions. The early notification will give officers a “heads up” so that when they arrive at the home, they allow for more flexibility in dealing with the situation at hand.

The identification process also allows families to register their disabled family members with the police department. An up to date photo and demographics information will be maintained in our records system, to provide immediate access to officers. This will be vital in the case where a deaf child becomes missing. All officers will have immediate access to the child’s photo, height, weight, hair color, etc., on the computers in their cars.

The Wilson Police Department respects your right to privacy. The information retained for this project will be used solely for law enforcement purposes. We hope that you will join us in this effort to care for and protect our disabled community. For more information, please call Captain Eric Kearney at 252-234-7567.

• Operation Know Me Registration

Home Safety for Kids Guide

Available free of charge – 2 per household. City residents can pick up a lock from any of the districts. County residents must go to the sheriff department.

Criminal Background Checks

Are only done at the Clerk of Court. Information regarding driving history must be directed to DMV, 252-243-4072.

Citizens Police Academy

The Citizens Police Academy provides insight into the reality of policing and problems in the community that require our joint efforts to solve. The Academy is designed to give citizens a broader knowledge, and a clearer understanding of how the Wilson Police Department operates, the duties of police officers, and what you as citizens can do to make our community a better and safer place in which to live.

Through this class, citizens are exposed to all phases of police work, its functions, and expectations. Qualified instructors conduct 2 hour classroom sessions once a week for a total of 9 weeks. There are normally 2 or 3 Saturday sessions which are “hands on” practical. Participants are afforded the opportunity to ask questions, participate in class demonstrations and ride along with police officers. Thus, forming a viable partnership between the Police Department and the community.

Graduates of the Citizens Police Academy are invaluable tools as they serve as volunteers and advocates for this partnership.

What You As Citizens Can Do

As citizens, there are many things that you can do to help your Police Department as well as your city.

You as citizens can join forces with the Police Department to help combat crime in your community as well as your city. You can enroll in the Citizens Police Academy and share with others your interests and ideas. Community Watch Programs can be organized giving you as citizens more control over your neighborhood. Become a volunteer with the department and relieve full time clerical employees for an hour or two.

Through unity there is strength. And, with your involvement and participation in the Citizens Police Academy, Wilson as a whole, without a doubt, will be a better and safer place for all. Enroll today in the Citizens Police Academy and help strengthen the bond between the Police Department and community. Your participation is wanted and needed.

For enrollment information contact Sergeant Jeff Boykin at jaboykin@wilsonnc.org call 252-399- 2323 or 252-399-2342.

• CPA Application

Community Outreach Programs

Recovery Concepts Community Center

Hope Alliance

Special Populations

The Wilson Police Department has been a supporter for Wilson County Special Olympic Athletes for many years. Over the past few years, we have migrated from support of Special Olympics to all Special Populations in Wilson County. We recognize the need for our efforts to be focused on local residents. Annually, the Wilson Police Department hosts a golf tournament that raises thousands of dollars for Wilson County Athletes. We will donate all of the proceeds to the Wilson County Special Olympics, Camp Sunshine, Eastpointe and the Wilson PD PAL program. If you are interested in sponsoring, playing or making a contribution, contact 252-399-2323.

Police Explorers

Explorer Post# 557

What is the purpose of the explorer program?

Our purpose is to encourage and educate young men and women in the field of Law Enforcement by exploring related careers including Police Officer, Communications, Community Policing and Forensic Crime Scene Investigation. We emphasize discipline, responsibility, and integrity so Explorers will have what it takes to successfully achieve a career in Law Enforcement.

What does a police explorer do?

• A Police Explorer studies the Wilson Police Departments radio codes to become proficient in communications skills.
• A Police Explorer becomes familiar with various functions within the Wilson Police Department and how they assist in crime prevention.
• A Police Explorer is involved in community service to enhance life experience, community relations, character development and teamwork.
• A Police Explorer is required to maintain grades, physical fitness and participate in physical training exercises.
• A Police Explorer wears an Explorer Uniform and must complete mandatory yearly training.
• A Police Explorer engages in mock Police situations such as arrest/control techniques, vehicle stops and suspect/victim/witness interactions, Domestic Violence scenarios, SRT and are trained in CPR.
• A Police Explorer goes on ride-a-longs with Police Officers in the field up to twice a month.
• A Police Explorer represents their Family, the City of Wilson Police Department, the City of Wilson and its Citizens. The Explorer must have good moral character and refrain from behavior that would bring discredit upon themselves, their Family, the City of Wilson Police Department, the City of Wilson and the Citizens they serve.
• All Police Explorers have the opportunity of demonstrating the techniques and abilities learned at numerous annual Explorer conferences throughout the year.

Wilson Police Explorer Applicant Requirements

• Explorers must be between the ages of 14 and 20 and have completed the eighth grade to join.
• Be enrolled in private, home or public schools within Wilson County. (Not a GED program) and maintain a 2.0 Grade point average and be involved in a continuing education program after high school.
• Explorers must submit to a criminal background check.
• Explorers must be able to work special assignment details and events that are usually at night and on weekends.
• Explorers must participate in fund raising activities.
• Explorers under 18 must have their parent’s permission to become a member.
• Explorers must demonstrate a desire to succeed.
• Explorers must demonstrate a respect for authority.
• Explorers must demonstrate good judgment.

Would you like more information?

Wilson Police Explorer POST 557 is led by Explorers, who serve as Explorer Lieutenants and Sergeants and privates. This provides explorers with the opportunity to learn basic leadership skills. The Explorer POST is overseen directly by sworn Wilson Police Officers.

Police Explorers meet every Tuesday from 5:30pm-8:30pm at the Police Substation at 1800 L. Fountain Dr. Community Center Wilson North Carolina.

Participation as a Wilson Police Explorer is at the discretion of the Explorer Advisors and the Chief of Police. Any conduct contrary to the professional image of the Wilson Police Department may terminate an Explorer’s participation in the POST.

Questions should be directed to Captain Russell Winstead at rwinstead@wilsonnc.org call 252-399-2389 or Captain William Hitchcock at whitchcock@wilsonnc.org call 252-296-3060.

Do you still think you have what it takes? Are you prepared?

If you are ready to begin your adventure as a Wilson Police Explorer, you must fill out a Police Explorer Application. Prepare your mind to be a team player. Have the mindset that all goals can be achieved with time and the commitment to excellence. Believe that failure is only a temporary step towards obtaining and achieving a desired goal. Failure is a part of Learning. Quitting is giving up on your dreams and goals. “Failures are acceptable.” “To quit is not!”.

• Visit our Facebook page!
• Police Explorer Application

Child Vehicle Restraint Safety Information

The Law

The State of North Carolina requires that all vehicle occupants under the age of 16 years old be restrained regardless of there seating position within the vehicle. Furthermore, a child in a safety seat cannot be placed in a front passenger seat if there is an active airbag for that seating position. Responsibility to ensure that an occupant under the age of 16 is properly restrained in a weight-appropriate restraint falls on the driver of the vehicle. Failing to ensure proper occupant restraint can result in a $25.00 fine plus cost of court per violation. In addition the driver will receive two points against their driver’s license.

Enforcement

The Wilson Police Department actively enforces occupant protection laws at all times. Our agency also participates with other law enforcement agencies in enforcement and awareness programs such as “Click It or Ticket”.

FAQ’s

When can stop putting my child in a child safety seat?

Legally, a child is not required to be in a child safety seat if they are at least five years old or weigh more than forty pounds.

Although many parents look forward to the day their child turns five years old so they can sit in a “big people seat,” there have been several studies to show that a majority of children are not yet ready to sit in a car using only the manufacture installed seatbelt at the age of five. Therefore most child safety seat manufactures are now making seats that are appropriate for children up to eighty-five (85) pounds.

My child weighs more than forty pounds; I can let them sit in a “big people” seat now right?

A basic rule of thumb for moving out of a child safety seat is if the child can sit in the backseat of the vehicle with their backs completely against the back of the seat and their legs are long enough so that their knees bend over the edge of the seat and allow their feet to hang directly towards the floor of the car. Remember, that a seatbelt is designed for safety and not using ALL of the seatbelt (i.e. putting the shoulder restraint behind the child’s back) properly is considered a violation of law.

My child doesn’t like sitting in his/her seat, what can I do?

Basic discipline is the key to a child using a child seat.

1. Make it a habit.
2. No exceptions. Whenever a child is in any moving vehicle they must be restrained.
3. Parent’s need to set an example. Research shows that a parent’s seatbelt habits are often passed on. *

I was in a wreck, how can I tell if my child seat is okay to still use?

If a child restraint is in a vehicle that is involved in collision, regardless of how minor or extreme, the child seat must be replaced.

How long should a child remain rear facing?

Rear-facing is safest. It is best to remain rear-facing to the weight and height limits of the car seat. Some convertible car seats have 30 or 35 pound rear-facing limits. In all cases, infants should be rear-facing until they are both one year and twenty pounds at the very minimum. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that babies be kept in rear-facing seats for as long as possible. See these links for more details:

• Why Rear-facing is Safest
• Rear-Facing car seats: What You Need to Know, by Kathleen Weber

When can my child be in a regular seat belt without a booster?

Children are not ready to be in a regular lap/shoulder seat belt until:

• They are tall enough so that their legs bend at the knees at the edge of the seat; and
• They are mature enough to remain seated with their backs flat against the back of the seat and not slouch; and
• The lap belt sits high on the thighs or low on the hips (Not on their tummy!); and
• The shoulder belt crosses the shoulder and chest (Not on their arms or neck!)

How can I find out if my child’s seat has been recalled?

Follow this link, Child Safety Seat Recall List, or call of the agencies listed below.

Notes

*Just as with nearly everything else in child development, a parent’s actions with seatbelts play a significant role in a child’s use of seatbelts and child restraints. Crash data from 1996, provided by the University of North Carolina Highway Safety Research Center, indicated that when adults buckle up, 95% of children are also buckled; on the other hand when adults go unbuckled, only 44% of children are buckled.

Free viewers are required for some of the attached documents.
They can be downloaded by clicking on the icons below.

Acrobat Reader Windows Media Player Word Viewer Excel Viewer PowerPoint Viewer