The Union County Sheriff’s Office Public Affairs Unit serves as the bridge between the Sheriff’s Office and the community by providing educational programs, safety initiatives, community outreach, and public engagement opportunities. Through programs such as Neighborhood Watch, Citizen’s Academy, Operation Medicine Drop, Kid Care ID Kits, Safety Presentations, K-9 Demonstrations, Senior Fraud Prevention, Career Day visits, and the Explorer Program, the Public Affairs Unit works to promote public safety, strengthen community partnerships, and build trust between citizens and law enforcement. The unit is dedicated to informing, educating, and empowering residents while fostering positive relationships throughout Union County.

Neighborhood Watch
Deputies work with communities on improving safety within their neighborhood's by informing citizens on crime prevention tools and techniques.  Communities can also purchase Neighborhood Watch signs to let everyone know that the criminal element is not welcome.

Bicycle Safety & Bike Safety Rodeo
Highly trained Bike Deputies will talk about the rules of the road when riding a bicycle as well as teaching bicycle safety tips when riding.

Kid Care ID Kits
Deputies provide parents and care givers a Child Care ID Kit. The kit will have a place to put the child's picture, identifying information as well as their fingerprints.  The kits can also be used as a keepsake as your child becomes an adult.

Safety Tips for Kids
Deputies teach kids of all ages about personal safety and all topics are taught at an age appropriate level.  Children will learn about 911, stranger danger, gun safety, and internet/social media dangers. 

Residential & Business Security Survey
Deputies will discuss techniques that homeowners and business owners can do to lower their risk of being victimized.  The most prominent technique is Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design - which suggests that the design of buildings, landscaping and outdoor environments can either encourage or discourage crime.

K-9 Presentations
K-9 Deputies will come and discuss the many roles performed by our K-9s.  They will discuss the high level of training needed to be a K-9 handler.  The Deputies will also showcase their K-9's skillsets working in age and group appropriate manners.

Safety & Fraud Tips for Seniors
Deputies will discuss common scams aimed at seniors and provide strategies to avoid falling victim to frauds, scams, and other senior targeted crime.

Career Day
Deputies explain the requirements to be a law enforcement officer and talk about the daily duties of a deputy sheriff.  Deputies can also provide insight on how to better prepare yourself to start a career in law enforcement.

Citizen's Academy
Citizens will learn about the many functions and roles within law enforcement and the UCSO.  The Academy is every Thursday evening for twelve (12) weeks.  If you wish to attend, fill out the application.

Operation Medicine Drop
The UCSO has partnered with Safe Kids North Carolina to have secure medicine box locations for legal and safe disposal of prescription and over the counter medications including needles.  Collection boxes are located at UCSO Main Office, UCSO Indian Trail Office, UCSO Wesley Chapel, Marshville PD, and Waxhaw PD.

To speak with someone about having the UCSO at your upcoming event, please complete and submit the Community Event Request Form or call our office at (704) 283-3789.

Explorer Program

The Union County Sheriff's Office Explorer Program is geared for helping young adults learn about the law enforcement field and community service.  Young adults from the ages of 12 to 20 years old can join the post.  Explorers participate in a physical fitness program that prepares them for what they might expect in a law enforcement training academy.  The UCSO Explorers assist with community events, such as Operation MedDrop, CrimeStoppers BBQ, UCSO Blood Drives and many others.  UCSO Explorers wear a professional uniform at training and events.  Explorers have training meetings once a month, along with a week long Explorer Academy in July.  This program helps foster leadership skills and a desire to serve the public.  If you want to learn about law enforcement and the UCSO, you can fill out the application and send it to Sergeant Mckensie Lorenz at mckensie.lorenz@unioncountync.gov