Sheriff Paula S. Dance was first elected on November 6, 2018, and officially took office on December 3, 2018. Sheriff Dance is currently in her second term of office, which she began on December 5, 2022.  Sheriff Paula Dance is a veteran law enforcement officer, having served the public for over three decades.  

 

Sheriff Dance was born in Martin County, NC.  As a child she formed a strong understanding of the complexities of life in rural eastern North Carolina.  She developed strong morals, ethics, and a healthy ambition, as well as the work ethic that has fueled her career.  She says that her guideposts in life have been hard work, integrity, and treating every person with respect.  She has been blessed with three wonderful children and two grandchildren.

 

The Sheriff began her career in 1990 with the Martin County Sheriff's Office.  About four years later Pitt County Sheriff Billy Vandiford hired her as a deputy, not knowing that one day she would be elected to the office herself. Deputy Dance excelled quickly in Pitt County.  She learned the best practices of the profession in order to best serve the citizens.  After only four years on patrol, Dance received her first promotion and became the Sergeant of the innovative Domestic Violence Unit where she fought every day for victims and families in crisis.  

 

It wasn't long until she was promoted to Detective in the Major Crimes Division.  There she was tasked with solving the worst crimes in the county. In 2010, she was promoted to Lieutenant in the Major Crimes Division.  Again, in 2011, she was promoted to Captain, and served as the manager of all criminal and narcotics investigators and cases.  In 2013, Captain Dance made history when she was promoted to Major, which is third in command of the office.  She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Mount Olive.

 

In 2018, Major Dance decided to run for the office of Sheriff and won a decisive victory. When she placed her hand on the Bible on December 3, 2018, she became the first African-American female Sheriff in North Carolina history.  She also became the first African-American of either gender to hold the post in Pitt County.  She is in rare company as she is only the fifth African-American female Sheriff in the history of our nation.  

 

But don’t focus much time or energy on the fact that history was made.  Sheriff Dance doesn’t.  Race and gender did not keep her from the position, and it did not put her into the position.  Likewise, those issues do not impact how she serves the public.  Sheriff Dance is a working Sheriff.  When she puts on the uniform each morning and risks her life for our citizens, she is the elected Sheriff for every citizen and fights for what is right for each and every person, period.  Legal, moral, and ethical matters know no differences between the people involved.  She has often referred to the following focal points and incorporates them into her everyday service: Integrity, Commitment, Community, For Everyone.