Wake County is situated within the Piedmont region of North Carolina. It is designated as the most populous county in North Carolina, with a documented population of 1,129,410 residents. Approximately 12% of the state's total population resides within the county. The economy is primarily characterized by the cultural, technology, and education sectors, as well as advanced manufacturing. The county comprises 12 municipalities, including Wake Forest, Apex, Holly Springs, Cary, and Raleigh, which functions as the principal city.
There are 234 violent crimes per 100,000 people in Wake County, and the property crime rate is 1,312 per 100,000 residents. The average violent crime rate is 62%, and the property crime rate is 55% of the statewide average. Overall, Wake County's violent and property crime rates are generally lower than the national average.
The Wake County Sheriff's Office (WSCO) serves as the primary law enforcement agency in the county. The agency operates in conjunction with municipal police departments, the judiciary, and state-level agencies to mitigate criminal activity and ensure public safety.
The Wake County Sheriff's Office executes judicial warrants and maintains administrative oversight of the county detention facility and booking processes. The primary custody of arrest records is retained by the City-County Bureau of Identification.
In addition to local authorities, various state and federal entities maintain jurisdiction within Wake County.
In Wake County, Law enforcement is administered by state agencies, federal authorities, municipal police departments, and the Sheriff's Office.
The Wake County Sheriff's Office oversees inmate intake, maintains detention records, provides courthouse security, and patrols unincorporated regions of the jurisdiction. The county sheriff's office manages:
Wake County has multiple municipalities, and local police departments operate in both cities and towns within the county, such as those in Knightdale, Rolesville, and Garner. The city police and sheriff carry out the arrest in their respective jurisdictions. Individuals are booked into the Wake County Detention Center, and their jail records are handled by the Sheriff's Office.
Within their city boundaries, municipal police departments make arrests and keep individual records of incidents and arrests.
The North Carolina State Highway Patrol functions as the State Police in North Carolina. The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation conducts interjurisdictional criminal investigations. Subjects apprehended by state authorities are typically remanded to the detention center, with corresponding data recorded in the official county jail logs.
Upon the execution of an arrest within Wake County, the subject is typically processed into the detention center. Consequently, the corresponding information is documented in the official county booking registry.
Federal agencies, including the FBI, DEA, ATF, and Department of Homeland Security, investigate violations of immigration statutes and other federal crimes.
A university or college police department exercises authority similar to municipal police departments but within their specific campus boundaries. They protect students, staff, visitors, and faculty members from criminal activities. The university and college police departments in Wake County include the Wake Tech College PD, North Carolina State University PD, Shaw University PD, and Meredith College Campus Police. Bookings are generally processed through the county jail.
Wake County does not have a county-specific joint law enforcement task force. The Sheriff's Office and municipal departments maintain collaborative relationships with state and federal agencies to address narcotics, cybersecurity, and violent crime. The following specialized task forces exercise jurisdiction or maintain operations in Wake County:
Phone: (919) 662-4500
Phone: (571) 362‑8487
Phone: (202) 648‑2000
Phone: 1‑800‑CALL‑FBI (225‑5324)
Park Rangers
Phone: (919) 841‑4046
Phone: (919) 856‑6083
Phone: (919) 676‑1027
The following information can be viewed on arrest records about Wake County:
While the specific components of arrest documentation vary across jurisdictions, particular information are restricted from public disclosure pursuant to their confidential classification. Furthermore, records that have undergone automatic expunction pursuant to North Carolina statutes are excluded from public registries.
On an annual basis, Wake County documents approximately 2,670 violent offenses and 56,530 property offenses Property-related offenses constitute the majority of reported crimes, whereas aggravated assault and burglary comprise most violent incidents. At 234 per 100,000 residents, the violent crime rate in Wake County is lower than the national average of 312 per 100,000 residents.
The following statistical summary illustrates the contemporary trends in Wake County arrest statistics:
Arrest Total | Yearly Average |
|---|---|
Arrest Rate per 100,000 | 4,900 |
Adult Arrests | 20,990 |
Juvenile Arrests | 190 |
Crime Type | |
Murder | 12 |
Rape | 1 |
Robbery | 70 |
Aggravated Assault | 420 |
Burglary | 300 |
Larceny | 1,800 |
Motor Vehicle Theft | 90 |
Arson | 3 |
Source: North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation-Crime Reporting Unit
Several types of warrants are issued in Wake County. These warrants can be found in arrest records, and each serves a different legal purpose. Warrants are used by judges, prosecutors, and law enforcement to enforce court orders and investigate crimes. Depending on state laws, warrants may have different names and scopes of authority. The following warrants are common in Wake County:
An arrest warrant is issued when law enforcement or a prosecutor presents probable cause that a person has committed a crime. It is signed by a judge, and it gives law enforcement legal authority to arrest the individual.
Bench warrants are issued by judges when a person fails to appear in court or disobeys a court order. These warrants do not require new criminal charges and are often used for missed hearings or unpaid fines.
A civil capias warrant is used in civil matters, such as unpaid child support or failure to comply with a subpoena. Although it originates from a civil case, this warrant can still lead to arrest and temporary detention until the issue is resolved.
Also called an out-of-county or out-of-state warrant, a fugitive warrant is issued when someone wanted elsewhere is located in Wake County. Local authorities detain the individual until they can be transferred back to the jurisdiction that issued the original warrant.
A governor's warrant is a formal document signed by the governor authorizing the arrest and transfer of a person wanted for prosecution or to serve a sentence in another state.
A search warrant allows law enforcement to enter and search a specific location for evidence related to a suspected crime. Issued by a judge based on probable cause, it is not an arrest warrant but may lead to one if illegal items or evidence are found during the search.
The public may access Wake County arrest records online for free through the county's arrest records portal and, alternatively, through the Mugshot Search System. Individuals may search using the names of the arrestees, and certified copies are available for $15. Interested persons may also submit a completed form and attach a money order by mail to obtain arrest records in Wake County.
To find warrant information, you may call or visit the Superior Court Clerk's Office in Raleigh or search via the online services portal provided by the Wake County Sheriff's Office.
The following are the addresses of the jail and detention centers in Wake County:
Agency Name: Wake County Sheriff's Office
City: Raleigh, North Carolina
Type: County law enforcement agency
Address: 330 S Salisbury Street, Raleigh, NC 27601
Phone Number: (919) 856-6900 (number serves both administrative inquiries and non-emergency reports)
Website: https://www.wake.gov/departments-government/sheriffs-office-willie-rowe-sheriff
Staffing: The Wake County Sheriff's Office employs approximately 1,000 personnel.
Police Department | Address | Phone Number |
|---|---|---|
Capitol Special Police | 9650 Strickland Road, Raleigh, NC 27615 | (919) 697-1995 |
Cary Police Department | 316 North Academy Street, Cary, NC 27513 | (919) 469-4012 |
Apex Police Department | 205 Saunders Street, Apex, NC 27502 | (919) 362-8661 |
Fuquay-Varina Police Department | 114 North Main Street, Fuquay-Varina, NC 27526 | (919) 552-3191 |
Raleigh Police Department - District 21 | 8016 Glenwood Avenue, Raleigh, NC 27612 | (919) 420-2300 |
Raleigh Police Department - District 22 | 8320 Litchford Road, Raleigh, NC 27615 | (919) 713-4208 |
Raleigh Police Department - District 23 | 4501 Atlantic Avenue, Raleigh, NC 27604 | (919) 873-2457 |
Garner Police Department | 900 7th Avenue, Garner, NC 27529 | (919) 772-8810 |
Holly Springs Police Department | 110 W Ballentine Street, Holly Springs, NC 27540 | (919) 552-7110 |
Knightdale Police Department | 950 Steeple Square, Knightdale, NC 27545 | (919) 217-2261 |
Morrisville Police Department | 240 Town Hall Drive, Morrisville, NC 27560 | (919) 463-1600 |
Rolesville Police Department | 204 East Young Street, Rolesville, NC 27571 | (919) 556-7227 |
Wake Forest Police Department | 225 South Taylor Street, Wake Forest, NC 27587 | (919) 554-6150 |
Wendell Police Department | 9 S Pine Street, Wendell, NC 27591 | (919) 365-4444 |
Zebulon Police Department | 1000 N Arendell Avenue, Zebulon, NC 27597 | (919) 823-1818 |
Agency Name: Wake County Detention Center
State: North Carolina
City: Raleigh
Type: County detention facility
Address: 3301 Hammond Road, Raleigh, NC 27610
Phone Number: (919) 773-7930
Facility Name | Address | Phone Number |
|---|---|---|
John H. Baker Jr. Public Safety Center (Downtown Jail Annex) | 330 South Salisbury Street, Raleigh, NC 27601 | (919) 856-6900 |
Central Prison | 1300 Western Boulevard, Raleigh, NC 27606 | (919) 733-0800 |
Wake Correctional Center | 1000 Rock Quarry Road, Raleigh, NC 27610 | (919) 733-7988 |