Police

The Gaston County Police Department was created by Legislative Act on July 1, 1957 and began operation with a chief, a secretary and 23 sworn officers. At that time the Department was primarily responsible for providing police service to the unincorporated areas of the county. Since that time, however, additional duties and responsibilities have been given to the Gaston County Police. Today, the Department employs 153 sworn officers who provide police services to a community of approximately 90,000 residents and spanning an area of over 270 square miles that along with the unincorporated areas of Gaston County also includes providing police services to the incorporated towns of High Shoals and Spencer Mountain.

In addition, the Department employs 117 civilians who provide 911 Communications, Animal Care and Enforcement and law enforcement support services throughout Gaston County.

Since its inception in 1957, the Department has continually grown stronger and more proficient. By 1991, the Commission on Accreditation of Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) awarded accreditation status to the Department, making it the 190th internationally accredited police agency.

Divisions

Chief Stepen Zill is responsible for the overall operation of the entire department, which is broken down into major divisions: Community Policing Division, Investigations Division and Communications and  Animal Care and Enforcement Divisions.

Division List

  1. Community Policing
  2. Investigations & Support Services
  3. Communications & Animal Care & Enforcement

The Community Policing Division is overseen by Assistant Chief S.V. Jentsch and is comprised primarily of uniformed officers assigned to one of four squads. Each squad is commanded by a captain. Officers work rotating, twelve-hour shifts and are supervised by a sergeant. The Community Policing Division is responsible for controlling and preventing crime through regular patrols, answering calls for service, apprehending offenders, enforcing criminal and traffic laws, conducting investigations and working with the community to solve neighborhood problems.

Also included in this Division are the:

  • K-9 Unit
  • Community service officers
  • A seasonal Marine Enforcement Unit
  • Reserve officers and two specialized response units:
    • Emergency Response Team
    • Hazardous Devices Unit
  1. County Police Investigate Overnight Shooting

    On Friday September 29, 2023 at 1:04 AM, the Gaston County Police responded to 118 Rocky Ridge Way, Gastonia in reference to a shooting. Read on...
  2. Police Announce Public Comment Portal for Feedback on Accreditation

    Gaston County Police Department announces the availability of the CALEA (Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies) Public Comment Portal for feedback on our performance as a public safety entity. Read on...
  3. Gaston County Police FAST Team Arrests Wanted Felon

    On Monday, the Gaston County Probation and Parole’s Apprehension, Capture, and Enforcement Unit requested assistance from the Gaston County Police Department’s Fugitive Apprehension and Suspect Tracking (FAST) team in locating Theron Wingate. Read on...
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