Terry S. Johnson (R)

• Biography

  I have dedicated more than 53 years to law enforcement, serving as a deputy sheriff, NC State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) special agent, and Alamance County Sheriff. I earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from ECU in 1973, where I played football on scholarship. After serving with the Pitt County Sheriff's Office, I joined the SBI, retiring in 2001 after serving as the State Coordinator of the Investigation Intelligence Unit. I was elected Sheriff in November 2002 and have served nearly 23 consecutive years, overseeing public safety operations for more than 183,000 residents and leading 311 sworn and civilian employes.

• What motivated you to run for Alamance County Sheriff?

  My motivation to run for Sheriff comes from a deep commitment to the citizens of Alamance County and a belief that public service is a responsibility that should never be taken lightly. After more than 53 years in law enforcement, I understand the challenges facing our profession and the importance of experienced leadership. I would not seek this office again if I were satisfied that every opportunity to improve public safety had been fully realized. My motivation is not about dissatisfaction for the sake of change, but about recognizing that there is always work to be done.

• What are the three most significant public safety needs in Alamance County that require the immediate attention of the sheriff's office?

  1. The Detention Center continues to face persistent staffing shortages due to the challenges of competing with neighboring facilities for qualified detention officers, particularly in terms of salary and signing bonuses. Additionally, the growing demand for inmate housing has created a need for increased bed capacity. Renovations to the former prison unit in Graham are necessary to establish auxiliary jail space, expand housing capacity, and to help address the ongoing demands on the Detention Center.

  2. We must focus on Mental Health issues by enhancing programs with the Diversion Center and RHA, further development of positive juvenile programs focusing on parental involvement and leadership development.

  3. Frauds continue to plague our senior community. Additional education and awareness are needed in the senior community.

• The Alamance County Detention Center has operated at or near capacity. In late 2025 the sheriff's office ended its agreement to house federal immigration detainees. How would you address jail capacity, and what would you ask county commissioners to fund?

  The Detention Center is currently operating over capacity, creating an ongoing need for additional inmate housing. The termination of the previous ICE contract has allowed more space to be allocated to local inmates: however, the demand for bed space continues to exceed current capacity. Renovations and necessary repairs to the former prison unit in Graham are needed to establish auxiliary jail space, increase housing capacity, and address the growing demands on the Detention Center. Expanding detention capacity through the repair and renovation of this existing facility represents the most cost-effective approach, maximizing the use of available infrastructure while reducing the need for more costly new construction.

• What is the appropriate role of the Alamance County Sheriff’s Office in federal immigration enforcement? How would you carry that out?

  The Alamance County Sheriff's Office should cooperate with federal immigration within the limits of NC and federal law prioritizing public safety and local law enforcement responsibilities.

  I would establish clear policies for cooperation with ICE, provide appropriate deputy training and ensure all actions comply with applicable laws. I would prioritize individuals who pose a threat to public safety while preventing unlawful enforcement practices.

  Through lawful cooperation, accountability, and consistent policies, the Sheriff's Office can support public safety while treating everyone with professionalism and dignity.

• Some Alamance County residents say they are reluctant to contact the sheriff’s office to report crimes or serve as witnesses. What specific steps would you take to build and maintain trust across all of the county’s communities?

  Building and maintaining trust across Alamance County requires transparency, accountability, and consistent community engagement. I believe every resident should feel safe contacting the Sheriff's Office, reporting crimes and serving as a witness, regardless of their background or circumstances.

  Our staff reflects the diversity of the community we serve. Our personnel come from different backgrounds and cultures, speak multiple languages, and share lived experiences that help them relate to residents from all walks of life. This diversity is a strength that allows us to communicate effectively and better understand our community's needs.

  We hold regular community meetings, attend neighborhood events, and build partnerships with faith leaders, schools, community organizations and local businesses. These efforts provide opportunities to listen to concerns, address problems, and maintain open communication.

  Every person who contacts our office deserves to be treated with dignity. I emphasize respectful interactions, consistent enforcement of the law, and clear procedures for reporting concerns and filing complaints without fear of retaliation.

  Trust is earned through actions, not words. My goal has always been to build lasting relationships throughout Alamance County so every resident knows the Sheriff's Office is accessible, accountable, and committed to protecting everyone.

• How would you recruit, retain, and train deputies and detention officers, and what changes to hiring standards, pay, or training would you prioritize?

  Recruiting and retaining qualified deputies and detention officers requires competitive pay, strong leadership, and opportunities for professional growth. I would promote career opportunities through local schools, colleges, community events, and military transition programs to attract dedicated candidates.

  I would prioritize evaluating salaries, signing incentives and retention bonuses against surrounding agencies to remain competitive. Improving benefits, recognizing outstanding performance, and providing clear opportunities for advancement would also help reduce turnover and strengthen morale.

  Hiring standards should remain rigorous while ensuring a fair and efficient process that emphasizing integrity, sound judgment, communication skills, and a commitment to public service.

  The newly constructed Public Safety Training Center provides an excellent opportunity to deliver affordable, high-quality training locally. I would maximize this resource by developing planned, ongoing training that builds on employees' strengths while identifying and prioritizing areas for improvement.

  By investing in our personnel, we can improve performance and prepare our deputies and detention officers to meet the evolving public safety needs of Alamance County.

• What information about the sheriff's office should be routinely available to the public (e.g. data on stops, arrests, and use of force; body-worn camera policy; how complaints against deputies are investigated and resolved; etc.)?

  The Sheriff's Office policy manual is public and available on our website. It includes our body worn camera policy. All other information that is public record is available as requested. We post weekly statistics on social media including number of traffic stops, civil papers served, arrests, jail bookings, etc....

• How should the sheriff’s office respond to calls involving mental health crises or substance use? How would you work with health care providers, the courts, schools and community on those cases?

  The Sheriff's Office responds to mental health and substance use calls with compassion and professionalism. Deputies are trained to de-escalate crises and connect individuals with appropriate treatment whenever possible.

  We work with RHA and the Diversion Center to provide resources for individuals experiencing mental health or substance use crises. Their staff work alongside 2 patrol deputies that are assigned and trained to help assess situations, identify appropriate services, and connect individuals with care rather than relying solely on arrest or incarceration when circumstances allow.

  Our goal is to protect public safety while recognizing that many individuals in crisis need treatment and support. By building on our partnerships with RHA and the Diversion Center, we can improve outcomes, reduce repeat calls, and help individuals and families access the services they need.

• How would you coordinate with Burlington, Graham, Mebane, Elon, and the county’s other municipal police departments?

  We maintain strong partnerships with local law enforcement agencies through mutual aid agreements, providing assistance on a variety of needs, including crowd control, parade staffing, and other public safety operations. We also coordinate through our Emergency Management teams to address county wide emergencies, including severe weather events.

  We collaborate with neighboring agencies by utilizing our BearCat armored vehicle and participating in a Special Response Team (SRT) that includes members from the Mebane, Gibsonville, and Elon Police Departments. Additionally, we work together through the Alamance Narcotics Enforcement Team (ANET), which includes Burlington, Elon, Gibsonville, Mebane, and Graham law enforcement agencies. The collaboration allows us to combine resources, investigate drug-related crimes, share intelligence, and target individuals and organizations involved in narcotics distribution.

  I believe effective law enforcement depends on communication, cooperation, and trust between agencies. By continuing to share resources, intelligence, and specialized capabilities, we can improve officer safety, use taxpayer resources efficiently, and provide a stronger, more coordinated public safety response throughout Alamance County.

• What is the sheriff’s office’s role in school safety? How would you work with ABSS on school resource officers?

  The Sheriff's Office has a critical role in school safety by protecting students and staff, preventing violence, and preparing for emergencies.

  We work closely with ABSS leadership to evaluate school resource officer (SRO) needs, ensure appropriate staffing, and provide ongoing training in school safety, crisis response, de-escalation. Safey to our students and staff is our top priority.

  We conduct regular safety assessments, emergency response drills and clear communication between school administrators and law enforcement. By working together, we can address concerns early, respond effectively to threats, and balance school security with the needs of students.

  We recently took the initiative and launched NC's first unified law enforcement school safety project, a comprehensive initiative designed to strengthen the standardized law enforcement response to active shooter and emergency situations across all county school campuses.

  Protecting the children of Alamance County is one of our highest callings and that commitment extends far beyond the schools with a dedicated SRO. When we began planning our unified law enforcement plan, our vision was clear: to encompass every child across Alamance County, whether they attend public, private, or charter school. Every student deserves to feel safe, supported, and empowered to learn, grow, and thrive as a future leader of our community.