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“We are fully committed to establishing positive relationships with the people we serve.”

- Chief Jerry Stokes

Community Policing is a philosophy and an organizational strategy that operates on the premise that both the police and their community must work together to identify, prioritize, and solve contemporary problems.

The Community Policing philosophy succeeds by establishing police officers on decentralized permanent beats, where they are charged with the responsibility, and enjoy the freedom and autonomy to operate as community-based problem solvers who work directly with the neighborhood residents. Their assignment is to help make neighborhoods better and safer places in which to live and work.

Community Engagement efforts include:

Foot Patrols | Youth Crime Prevention | Speakers Bureau and McGruff | SNAG | N.I.C.E. Truck | Neighborhood Officer Map | Summer Cease Fire | Ride-A-Longs

Foot Patrols

SPD Officers meeting residents during a neighborhood foot patrol

In an effort to reduce crime and improve citizen satisfaction with police services, the SPD expanded its use of foot patrols in 2017 in neighborhoods throughout the city. As part of the foot patrol program, SPD will implement Stratified Policing, which is an evidence-based policing strategy designed to reduce crime through geographic ownership of neighborhoods and problem solving.

The use of foot patrols is an example of the department’s commitment to evidence-based policing, citing a recent study by researchers at Temple University. The study found that foot patrols reduced short-term crime and improved relationships with the community through officer visibility and citizen engagement. The program goals include a minimum of one neighborhood walking revolution within a 12-hour work shift and the documentation of citizen contacts.

Officers at all levels of the agency participate in this initiative.

Youth Crime Prevention

According to the National Crime Prevention Council: Youth should be involved in planning and carrying out strategies to prevent violence in their communities. They contribute a valuable perspective on the problem as they build skills that will help them make positive contributions to their neighborhoods.

Youth who participate in projects to prevent crime and violence can play many roles: they join task forces of planning coalitions, volunteer in community-based prevention projects, mediate conflicts in schools and the community, perform in prevention-focused programs for younger children, counsel peers, and organize neighborhood anti-drug and anti-crime events. Many successful programs involve at-risk and other teens.

The Salisbury Police Department Youth Crime Prevention Office works closely with the police administrative staff and community leaders to coordinate multiple programs and activities throughout the year for Salisbury youth. One of the main programs presented throughout the school year is the G.R.E.A.T. (Gang Resistance Education and Training) program taught in 4th grade and 6th grade classrooms. During summer months the Salisbury Police Department Youth Crime Prevention Officer coordinates two summer camps that include a team of officer.

The Salisbury Police Cadet experience is part of an ongoing, educational program for young males and females 13 to 17 years of age. Cadets entering the program before age 17, will be permitted to remain in the program until 21. Youth interested in membership within the Police Cadet program must complete an application, pass a background check, attend four consecutive meetings, and be able to meet the requirements in the application. Meetings are held at the SPD the second and fourth Tuesday from 6 to 7 p.m. To obtain an application contact the Youth Crime Prevention Officer at (704) 638-4463.

SPD Officer speaking with high school students

Speakers Bureau and McGruff the Crime Dog

McGruff the Crime Dog meeting little kid and parent

Salisbury Police Department officers and staff members welcome an opportunity to speak with your organization or group at local meetings, social functions and neighborhood watch gatherings about crime and safety in our community..

McGruff the Crime Dog

Back in 1980, a dog in a rumpled trench coat said, "You don't know me yet. But you will." Since then, McGruff the Crime Dog has taught millions of people that the police can't fight crime alone - crime prevention is everybody's business and everyone can help "Take A Bite Out Of Crime."

Through television commercials, comic books, live appearances, and more, McGruff has encouraged Americans to take common sense steps to reduce crime.

Over the years McGruff has made his way across the country to spread crime prevention messages. Nationwide law enforcement agencies have more than 4,000 McGruff costumes that they use to bring McGruff to their communities. Some popular occasions for a McGruff visit are:

  • School assemblies
  • Health and safety fairs
  • National Night Out celebrations
  • Crime Prevention Month and Halloween events
  • Community events related to public safety

To request a speaker or McGruff the Crime Dog fill out our online request form. Requests will be fulfilled as scheduling and availability allows.

Salisbury Neighborhood Action Group

The Salisbury Police Department hosts a monthly Salisbury Neighborhood Action Group (SNAG) meeting. At these meetings, residents will hear monthly updates concerning neighborhood activity, related investigations, and code enforcement issues.

The meetings are on the first Wednesday of each month. Residents also have the opportunity to voice concerns regarding specific activities in their neighborhoods.

These monthly SNAG meetings are open to the public! You are welcome and encouraged to attend. The meetings are held at:

Salisbury Police Department
130 E. Liberty St.
Salisbury, NC 28144

Meetings are from 10:00 am to 11:00 a.m.

SNAG meetings are held at the Salisbury Police Department building

Neighborhood Ice Cream Express

Salisbury Police Department's Ice Cream Truck

The Salisbury Police Department Neighborhood Ice Cream Express (N.I.C.E.) Truck is a community engagement tool in which assigned officers visit various Salisbury neighborhoods and special events to distribute ice cream and other tasty treats at no charge.

The N.I.C.E. Truck, purchased by the City as a former ice cream truck, was designed and restored in-house. The truck’s main objective is to increase and encourage positive police-youth interactions and positive police-citizen interactions.

Your Neighborhood Officers

This interactive map will allow community members to search their address and see the police officer responsible for their community. Community members can email their neighborhood officer(s) to detail problems or offer words of encouragement. This feature may also reduce non-emergency calls for service by redirecting the problem to the appropriate officer and not generating a call for service which requires an immediate response.

Open Map
SNAG meetings are held at the Salisbury Police Department building

Salisbury Cease Fire

Salisbury Cease Fire Logo

Two years after it was first introduced, the “Cease Fire” gun violence reduction initiative led by the Salisbury-Rowan Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and the Salisbury Police Department, will continue in 2021 with a slightly different look. The “Salisbury Cease Fire” program will be held throughout the year in a continuous effort to reduce increasing gun violence in the community.

Introduced in 2019, the “Summer Cease Fire” was a local initiative to encourage Salisbury youth, and in some cases adults, to stop gun-related assault during the summer months. The initiative uses data to address gun violence/crime in specific areas, in combination with community stakeholders who serve as de-escalators in the midst of potentially violent situations between related groups in the summer.

The Salisbury Cease Fire program will continue to use de-escalators, but will continue year-round. An additional plus is the assistance of two dedicated SPD crime analysts who are housed in the new Rowan Regional Crime Information Center (RRCIC). The analysts benefit the Cease Fire program by providing real time/up-to-date data on violent crime hot spots within the city limits. De-escalators will be on call day and night.

“The community has seen much success with the Cease Fire initiative reducing our violent crime issues,” said Salisbury Police Chief Jerry Stokes. “Our continuing partnership with NAACP has been a boon to both the Salisbury Police Department’s community engagement efforts and ability to effectively reduce crime in neighborhoods. We are pleased that we are able to continue on this journey of working together to reduce crime and build lasting relationships.”

“The Salisbury-Rowan NAACP is proud to partner with the Salisbury Police Department and other city groups to make Cease Fire a year-round program,” said Salisbury-Rowan NAACP President Gemale Black. “While working to prevent crime in our City, we encourage everyone to join in and increase volunteer participation so together we can decrease gun violence. The Salisbury-Rowan NAACP will continue to fight for equality for all and hold law enforcement agencies accountable. In addition, we as residents must also hold each person in our neighborhood accountable by working to prevent and report incidents, and contacting de-escalators to assist with conflicts. When we mobilize and work together, we can ensure that gun violence in our community will be at an all-time low.”

The Salisbury Cease Fire initiative is patterned after a model of policing which identifies violence as a public health issue an develops data-driven strategies to combat the issue.

For more information on the Salisbury Cease Fire program, contact the Salisbury-Rowan NAACP at (980) 234-9843 or email info@salisburyrowannaacp.org.

The Salisbury Police Department’s ride-along program's purpose is to provide citizens with an opportunity to learn about the department’s goals and missions and the many services we offer. Participation allows citizens to experience firsthand the decision-making processes our officers utilize in addressing the various crime and quality-of-life issues affecting our community. The end result is a more unified partnership between the police department and the public.

This program is designed for participants over 18 years of age, but is available to students at least 16 years of age with parental consent. Prior to riding, citizens will be asked to sign a liability waiver indicating that you agree to all terms and conditions as listed. Failure to abide by the requirements will terminate your riding privileges.

If you are interested in the Ride-A-Long program, contact Lt. Joe Miller at jmill@salisburync.gov.

Online Application
 Title Description
Authorization to Release InformationDownloadIn order to process applications, certain information must be made available to the Chief of Police of the City of Salisbury.
Internship ApplicationDownloadThe Salisbury Police Department’s Intern Program is a highly competitive process. Prospective applicants must have high moral character and a dedication to community oriented policing. Prospective applicants must be currently enrolled in college and follo
Personal History StatementDownloadThe applicant for a CERTIFIED position should complete this form prior to beginning his/her background investigation.

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