North Carolina sheriffs weren’t in Myrtle Beach to play golf

Anyone who has visited Myrtle Beach, South Carolina knows that crime (such as underage drinking, drug use, noise violations, traffic violations, etc.) occurs quite frequently on the Grand Strand.

However, last week was probably a bad time to commit crimes in the open because a large number of North Carolina sheriffs were in town.

On the other hand, since everyone was out of their jurisdictions, perhaps lawbreakers vacationing at the popular South Carolina beach would have nothing to worry about.

Plus, the sheriffs weren’t there to arrest people.

The group of North Carolina sheriffs and their families gathered south of the border, along with other high-ranking members of sheriffs’ offices from across North Carolina, for the Association’s Annual Business Conference.

Founded in 1922, the North Carolina Sheriffs’ Association is a statewide, nonprofit educational and professional organization that counts all 100 of the state’s sheriffs among its members. Through the Association, sheriffs from across the state work together to strengthen the law enforcement profession and improve the services their offices provide to the people of North Carolina.

The Association also spends a lot of time developing new laws that will be helpful to state law enforcement and then attempts to get state legislators to vote to put those proposed laws into effect.

Each year at the business conference, top law enforcement officials attend training classes and panel discussions, and engage in networking activities along with other useful professional activities.

They also have fun together when they are not busy with business.

This year, training classes and panel discussions covered a variety of law enforcement topics, including the latest trends in the fentanyl crisis and the ways Mexican drug cartels are impacting our border issues.

Attendees at the event also had the opportunity to hear presentations from several guest speakers and attend several Association committee meetings.

The North Carolina Sheriffs’ Association elects new deputies each year at the Annual Business Conference, and this year, the Association walked away from the beach with its leadership for the next 12 months in place.

Five North Carolina sheriffs were elected to new positions:

• President – ​​Sheriff Mike Roberson, Chatham County
• First Vice, Sheriff Ricky Buchanan, McDowell County
• Second Vice-Chairman: Sheriff Clee Atkinson, Edgecombe County
• Third Vice Chairman: Sheriff Jeff Crisco, Stanly County
• Clerk – Sheriff Joey Lemons, Stokes County

Outgoing President, Iredell County Sheriff Darren Campbell, will now serve as Chairman of the Association’s Executive Committee.

Cabarrus County Sheriff Van Shaw was re-elected as Treasurer.

Roberson, the organization’s new president, was delighted to be the group’s choice.

“I am truly honored to have been elected by my peers to serve as president of the Association,” Roberson said of receiving the group’s top honor. “It is a privilege to represent and support my fellow sheriffs over the next year. The Association’s Annual Business Conference is a valuable opportunity for us to come together, share our experiences and learn from one another. Through our collaborative efforts, we are committed to continually improving the service we provide to our communities.”