Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office Creates Special Operations Division

MURPHY, N.C. — Cherokee County Sheriff Chris Wood announced the creation of a Special Operations Division, expanding and restructuring the office’s existing Narcotics Division to focus on proactive enforcement against repeat offenders, illegal drugs and outstanding warrants.

The division will add two uniformed positions through reorganization of existing positions and funding: one uniformed deputy and a second deputy assigned a K-9 asset. It will concentrate on five primary missions: narcotics investigations targeting drug distributors; proactive criminal interdiction to disrupt the movement of illegal drugs, wanted offenders, stolen property and other criminal activity; warrant service with emphasis on repeat offenders; tactical response for incidents requiring specialized, coordinated action; and community partnerships with citizens, businesses, organizations and other law enforcement agencies.

Wood said the change fulfills campaign promises to address repeat offenders, illegal narcotics, outstanding warrants and the demands on deputies and investigators while examining the office’s organization for better public protection.

“This restructuring is more than a change of titles and assignment of positions. It is about changing the way we approach crime,” Wood said in a statement. “Our philosophy is simple: we should not wait for another crime to occur before we act. When we identify a repeat offender, we should work to stop that offender. When we identify a drug trafficking problem, we should work to disrupt it. When warrants are issued, we should work to locate those individuals and bring them before the court.”

Patrol deputies will continue handling calls, emergencies and day-to-day community needs, while the Special Operations Division provides personnel dedicated to sustained, proactive enforcement. Wood described the move as ending a reactive approach by the sheriff’s office.

“The days of a reactive Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office are over,” he said. “The creation of the Special Operations Division is one of the first major steps in fulfilling the commitment I made to you during the campaign: to build a Sheriff’s Office that evolves, adapts, and takes action.”

Wood thanked residents for their trust and warned those who victimize the community that recent efforts signal more to come. He said the office aims to make Cherokee County safer for living, working and raising families.