Community Engagement: Youth-to-Uniform Pipeline

As candidate for Sheriff of Johnston County, I believe that true public safety begins before a crime ever happens. My goal is not just to enforce the law, but to prevent crime by investing in youth development, mentorship, and leadership opportunities. That requires realistic, community-backed initiatives that can be sustained through partnerships, sponsorships, and targeted funding.

For Youth: Camp S.T.A.R. (Sheriff’s Team for Accountability & Respect) 

Camp S.T.A.R.  is a free week-long summer camp designed for rising 5th through 7th graders. It focuses on leadership, decision-making, internet safety, and building trust between young people and law enforcement. Deputies and School Resource Officers will serve as mentors, offering guidance in a positive, supportive environment. This program is designed to be operated at no cost to families. It will be funded entirely through private sponsorships, civic and faith-based organization support, and in-kind donations. No new taxpayer burden will be required to launch Camp S.T.A.R., and the program’s size will be based on the number of community sponsors secured each year.

For Teens: Driver Confidence & Certification Program

This will help prepare 15 to 17-year-olds for the responsibility of driving, while also building safe habits and respectful interaction with law enforcement. The program will include classroom sessions on North Carolina traffic laws, impaired driving prevention, and how to handle traffic stops safely. It will also offer access to a certified driver education track to prepare students for DMV testing. This program will operate as a paid course, like existing private driver’s ed options, but we will actively pursue youth development or highway safety grants to offset costs. Our goal is to keep the program affordable for all families, while offering full or partial scholarships when funding allows.

Beyond the Classroom: Johnston County Police Athletic League (PAL)

To expand youth engagement beyond the classroom, I will work with local Parks and Recreation departments to launch a Johnston County Police Athletic League (PAL). This program will begin on a pilot basis with one or two seasonal sports leagues, such as flag football or basketball, where deputies volunteer as coaches and mentors. The long-term goal, contingent on community interest and funding, is to grow PAL into a year-round mentorship and sports program. We will seek a mix of support including the NC Amateur Sports Youth Grant (up to $20,000/year), national grant programs like Sports Matter by DICK’S Sporting Goods, and support from local businesses. The size and scope of PAL will grow with available resources and participation, ensuring we don’t overcommit beyond our means.

Next Generation of Public Servants: High School Cadet Program

Finally, to encourage the next generation of public servants, I will implement a High School Cadet Program. This initiative, open to juniors and seniors, will include leadership training, ride-a longs, community service projects, and basic exposure to law enforcement concepts. It is intended to be cost-neutral to the county by relying on volunteer deputy participation, donations, and partnerships with local high schools and career-readiness programs. It can serve both as a steppingstone to future employment and a way to promote responsible citizenship among Johnston County’s youth.

Together, these programs, Camp S.T.A.R., the Driver Confidence Program, PAL, and the High School Cadet Program, form a realistic, flexible approach to public safety through prevention and youth investment. They are not promises of large, tax-funded expansions, but instead carefully designed initiatives that can scale based on sponsorships, grants, and partnerships. By focusing on character, trust, and opportunity, we can build a future where our communities are safer not because we made more arrests, but because our kids made better choices.

Randy Ackley,

GOP Candidate for Sheriff