I’m Doug Doughtie, and I am your Sheriff. My law enforcement career spans 43 years and covers every aspect of police work, including patrol, investigations, narcotics and work as a school resource officer. I have twice been promoted to the rank of lieutenant, once with Ahoskie P.D., where I began my career, and again with the Dare County Sheriff’s Office, where I retired in 2006.

Since 1989, I have lived in Dare County with my wife, Shanon, and three wonderful boys. As an active member of the community, I am on the Board of Directors for Outer Banks Babe Ruth. I’m a youth teacher at my church and have coached baseball, basketball and soccer with Dare County Parks and Rec for many years. I am active in the FCA.

After having long enjoyed the benefits of living in Dare County, I felt it was time to give back. My long career and experience working in Dare County has given me a vision of how this Sheriff’s Office should be run. The citizens should not be satisfied with the status quo, and I am the man to lead the Sheriff’s Office.

The ABC’s of the Dare County Sheriff's Office:
Accessibility, Balance, and Commitment

I believe the Sheriff’s Office serves the people of Dare County, and to do that successfully, the Sheriff must make himself available to hear what the citizens have to say. It doesn’t do a bit of good to shut yourself in an office all day and act as if Dare County begins and ends at the Manteo town line. Accessibility begins with simply making sure everyone can call me. My personal cell phone number is (252) 216-9898. The only time I won’t answer the phone myself is if I’m in court or church, but if you leave a message I will call you right back.

Accessibility also means making my deputies more available to the public. I am fully committed to a broad community policing approach. I want to get my deputies out of their cars and into neighborhoods, businesses, schools and any other venue where they can have positive contacts with the public. Finally, Accessibility means that the public has the opportunity to see what their Sheriff’s Office is doing for them. Citizens will be able to provide feedback, criticism, compliments and even make suggestions to improve our service.