Welcome to the Town of Duck Police Department’s official webpage. I appreciate your interest and I hope you find the information on this page informative. Please check back often as we continually update the weekly police blotter and other information of interest to you, our community. My service to you as your Chief of Police is my greatest honor and I am committed to providing the highest possible level of service to the Town’s residents, property owners and visitors.
Each of your police officers and I were chosen to serve this community because we embrace professionalism, courtesy and integrity. As your Chief of Police, I will ensure the Town of Duck Police Department remains engaged in our community and employs the latest policing practices and technologies to keep Duck a safe place for all to live in and visit.
Open communication is vital to successful policing, so I assure you my door is open, and I stand ready to discuss any ideas or concerns you may have so that we can create lasting solutions to problems together. My team and I look forward to seeing you in the community.
Jeffrey E. Ackerman – Chief of Police
Mission Statement
The mission of the Town of Duck Police Department is to provide the highest possible level of community policing service to the Town’s residents, property owners and visitors to keep Duck a safe and enjoyable place for all to live in and visit.
Commitment to 21st Century Policing
The Town of Duck Police Department is committed to enhancing the professionalism of law enforcement and to changing the policing culture in North Carolina by adopting the Foundation Principals of 21st Century Policing as recommended by the North Carolina Association of Chiefs of Police Workforce on Police Professionalism.
Foundation Principal One: Preservation of Life
The sanctity of human life is at the heart of everything we do. To reinforce this principal the Duck Police Department has enacted policy that incorporates the duty to intervene and report misconduct and misuse of force by another officer. Further, we support reforms to improve use-of-force training, the addition of scenario-based reality training and de-escalation training.
Foundation Principal Two: Enhancing Professionalism
The Town of Duck Police Department seeks to create a culture of excellence and professionalism by maintaining trust and legitimacy in our community. Further, we support the creation of a North Carolina Law Enforcement Agency Accreditation Program.
Community Information
Police Blotter
Traffic Counts
**Traffic volume data obtained from license plate reads made by the Town’s Automated License Plate Reader Systems (ALPR) can vary in accuracy based on traffic conditions. The Department is evaluating new technology that is specifically designed to accurately capture traffic volume and vehicle speed data. Until that technology is in place, we’ll continue to post the monthly traffic counts from the ALPR with this disclaimer.**
| Traffic Volume Extrapolation from ALPR Detections | Incident Report by Nature of Incident |
| January 2024 | January 2024 |
| February 2024 | February 2024 |
Traffic Counts
| Traffic Volume Extrapolation from ALPR Detections | Incident Report by Nature of Incident |
| January 2023 | January 2023 |
| February 2023 | February 2023 |
| March 2023 | March 2023 |
| April 2023 | April 2023 |
| May 2023 | May 2023 |
| June 2023 | June 2023 |
| July 2023 | July 2023 |
| August 2023 | August 2023 |
| September 2023 | September 2023 |
| October 2023 - Corolla October 2023- Southern Shores | October 2023 |
| November 2023 | November 2023 |
| December 2023 | December 2023 |
Services/Programs
Prescription Drug Drop-Off: With Operation Medicine Drop, the public can safely dispose of unwanted, unused, or expired medications. Over-the-counter and prescription pills, patches, and closed liquids are accepted, but not needles. Securing your medications and disposing of them safely protects our community and environment. Items can be taken to the Duck Police Department Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., no questions asked.
Property/House Checks: The Duck Police Department offers a property/house check program to the Town’s property owners. As part of the program, the officers make periodic checks of residences that are not occupied during the off-season. The officers look for open windows and doors and other signs of unauthorized entry, as well as items such as water leaks. If necessary, the officer will contact the homeowner or rental company so the residence can be secured. If it appears that a crime has occurred, the incident will be investigated.
Security Surveys: Our police officers offer a security survey service of residences and commercial properties within the Town. These surveys are designed to assess the security of residences and businesses. Owners will be given recommendations that they can implement to address potential security issues. Security surveys are conducted on an as requested basis.
Video Program: Properties can be vulnerable to natural disasters, theft, and fire. It’s important to take preparatory steps and have an inventory complete with photographs or video. An officer will come to the residence and video and document the contents. The homeowner will receive a copy of the video and the police will keep a copy in a secure database.
The Duck Police Department does NOT offer the following services, but see below for assistance with acquiring these items.
Patches: As a vacation destination, our police patches are in high demand. Unfortunately, we aren’t able to offer free patches due to the volume of requests. Please visit the T-shirt shop where you can purchase Duck Police and Fire items. Thank you!
Fingerprinting: Live Scan digital fingerprinting technology is most commonly required when a citizen requests fingerprints for a background check. The Town of Duck does not have access to this technology.
The Dare County Sheriff’s Office in Manteo does have this technology and will take public fingerprints by appointment Monday – Friday 9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 – 4:30 p.m. Appointments can be made by calling the Sheriff’s Office at 252-475-5980.
Non-Emergency Vehicle Unlocking: Modern vehicles use a variety of design features that make gaining access into a locked vehicle extremely difficult, unless you have the key or key fob. Many vehicles also employ rapidly changing technology, such as side curtain airbags and complicated electronic locking mechanisms, which require numerous tools and constant training to work around. It is very difficult for our officers to enter a modern locked vehicle without damaging the vehicle or causing injury to the officer. Because of this, the Town of Duck Police Department no longer offers non-emergency vehicle unlocking service. In emergency situations, such as an infant locked inside a vehicle, the Duck Fire Department will respond and has the ability to make forced entry into the vehicle. For emergencies dial 911.
- Motorists who have locked their keys inside their vehicle may call one of the following local companies, listed in alphabetical order, for assistance:
- Bayside Towing & Wrecker Service – (252) 441-2985
- Pop-A-Lock Outer Banks Locksmith – (252) 261-7670
- ProTow & Recovery, LLC – (252) 335-1372
- Seto’s Towing & Service – (252) 261-3138