Police Department

Our Mission

The mission of the Oak Island Police Department is to serve and protect the community by delivering professional police services; officers will enforce the law, ensure the safety of our community, and protect the rights of all citizens by policing with fairness and integrity.

Our Vision

We strive to exceed the expectations of those we serve, focus on being positive, and treat everyone with the highest level of professionalism.

Leadership Team

• Chief of Police: Charles A Morris II
• Assistant Chief: Franklin Cooke
• Detective Lieutenant: Michael Oxford
• Patrol Lieutenant: Loyd Hames

Department Staff

Annual Reports

Each year, the Oak Island Police Department provides an Annual Report, which is presented to the Oak Island Town Council during a regular meeting, and outlines the accomplishments and key data points from the previous year.

Click the links below to view the current and recent Department Reports.

• 2025 Annual Report(PDF, 7MB)
• 2024 Annual Report(PDF, 7MB)
• 2022-23 Annual Report(PDF, 5MB)

Message from the Chief

On behalf of the Oak Island Police Department, I am pleased to present the 2025 Annual Report. This report highlights the dedicated work of our officers and staff. It details the Police Department services, major accomplishments, crime and traffic statistics, and community partnerships developed throughout the year. 

The Department works daily to protect the community and ensure our streets remain safe for our residents and visitors.  Traffic safety, community engagement, employee development, and officer recruitment remain priorities as we continue to deliver the highest quality of police services. 

In the spring, the police department hosted a hurricane preparedness and response conference for the town citizens.  The conference provided residents and property owners valuable information about how the town works to prepare, respond and recover from a severe weather event.  Additionally, there was a panel discussion by the town’s public safety leadership team that addressed frequently asked questions.  Further, the National Weather Service provided information along with a host of other vendors during the conference.   

Throughout the year, the department actively worked to further their accreditation level through the N.C. Training and Standards Division.  The accreditation program is a rigorous program that focuses on maintaining the highest standards for the department along with ensuring the department is operating under industry best practices.  The department expects to reach accreditation by the fall of 2026.  

To enhance community feedback, a form was created on our website that allowed citizens to submit commendations or concerns regarding our services.  This initiative has proven to be very valuable, offering a direct and accessible channel for community feedback.  It enables us to recognize exemplary service, identify areas for improvement, which ultimately strengthens trust within the community.

The department implemented “Virtual Simulator” training to enhance the officer’s de-escalation skills, decision making, and marksmanship abilities.  This valuable training tool was offered through Brunswick Community College at no expense to the department.  Officers will now complete this training on a quarterly basis.  Importantly, officers with the police department provided “Active Shooter” training to all town employees which helps ensure the safety of our staff.  

2025 was a very productive year for the department, highlighted by enhanced training, community engagement, and continued dedication to public safety. 

We look forward to building on these accomplishments in the coming year as we continue to deliver professional and effective police services to our community.

Charles A. Morris II
Chief of Police

About the C.R.O. Program

Known as a “public to police problem solver,” the Community Resource Officer program serves to enhance the relationship between the community and the Police Department. In this position, the officer reviews statistics and community feedback for all areas of Oak Island, to help develop cooperative strategies for addressing current problems or emerging trends.

Responsibilities:

• Attending community meetings
• Promoting crime prevention strategies
• Organizing tested programs such as "Coffee with a Cop"
• Innovating new partnerships with local businesses, churches, and civic groups
• Providing a more informal level of interaction with the public

Program History

In August of 2022, the Community Resource Officer Program was re-launched by the Oak Island Police Department after several years hiatus. Following discussions with the Town Council, Town Administration, and various members of the community, Police Chief Charlie Morris saw an opportunity to not only re-launch the program, be also to update its mission and objectives as well. Since the re-launch, Community Resource Officers have been working hard to listen and build positive relationships within the community, to ensure problems are solved together.

Contact the C.R.O.

Joe Trahey
Community Resource Officer

To speak with the Community Resource Officer directly, contact the Department by calling 910-278-5595, or using the Contact Form provided below.

Police Department Contact Form

Are you looking for a new job opportunity, or maybe a whole new career? The Oak Island Police Department may be the right fit for you!

We offer regionally competitive salaries with benefits, plus options for both experienced and entry-level officers Other benefits include:

• Health / Dental / Vision / Life Insurance
• 401K Contribution (5%)
• State Retirement Plan
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Annual & Sick Leave
• Overtime Opportunities
• Workout Facility Access
• Take Home Vehicle

To view currently available opportunities or to apply, visit OakIslandNC.gov/JOBS or visit the following link

Job Openings

Notice: Applications will need to include additional forms provided by the NC Department of Justice:

• Authorization for Release of Information.12.2020
• F-3 (LE) Personal History Statement (04-2024)
• F-3 Charges & Expunctions Continuation Page (03-2024)
• F-3 Work History Continuation Page (04-2024)

Note: If the download links for the forms listed above are not working, these forms can be downloaded directly from the NCDOJ website.

Accident Reports

Please Note: The Police Department does not provide vehicles accident reports directly. Report are provided by the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT).

To order a report from NCDOT, visit NCDOT Crash Reports page or the following link.

NCDOT Crash Reports

When requesting a report, make sure to have all personal information ready, such as driver information, report number, and date of report.

Property Records

Keep Track of Your Stuff!

ReportIt is a free service that lets you securely store serial numbers, item descriptions, pictures, and scans of receipts so that your items may be more easily identified in the event of theft or loss due to disaster. Create your own secure id and password in order to access your inventory anywhere you have internet access.

Identity Theft Protection

Have You Been the Victim of Identity Theft?

Check out the Federal Trade Commission website, to find out what steps you should take to protect yourself and fix your credit.

Additional Forms

• Bicycle Registration Form(PDF, 304KB): Register your bike with the Police Department
• Application for Permit to Operate a Mobility Device(PDF, 411KB): Process, application, instructions and ordinance outlining process for operating a mobility device
• Business Contact Information Form(PDF, 54KB): Register your business with the Police Department for emergency contact.

The Oak Island Police Department often receives questions regarding scams and other fraud attempts. In addition to hosting regular fraud prevention presentations, we have provided a list of common fraud types, along with resources to help fight these attempts to take advantage of your finances.

Common Scam Types include:

• Credit, Debt, & Loans
• Phony Prizes & Sales
• Health Fraud
• Money Making
• Tech Scams
• Scams of the Heart
• Identity Theft
• Fraud Against Senior Citizens

If you feel that you have been targeted by a scammer or are the victim of a scam, do not hesitate to contact the Police Department or one of the agencies listed below, to file a complaint.

• NC Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division 1-877-5-NO-SCAM (1-877-566-1886)
• Federal Trade Commission
• AARP
• FBI Internet Crimes Division
• National Consumer League
• Brunswick County Sheriff's Office

To view information on this year's National Night Out event, visit the Special Events page or visit the following link:

National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships to help make neighborhoods a safer, more caring places to live.

Organized locally by the Oak Island Police Department, 2024 marks the Town’s second year hosting an NNO event, in which officers, staff, and volunteers work hard to ensure a memorable evening for all!

Featured Displays & Activities regularly include:

• US Coast Guard Helicopter
• All Brunswick County Law Enforcement
• Fire Trucks w/ Functional Water Cannons
• Displays from all Military Branches
• NC Wildlife Resources Commission
• NC State Bureau of Investigation
• Air Link Helicopter
• US Coast Guard Helicopter
• Music Provided by Live DJ
• Free Ident-A-Kid kits
• Free Food & Desserts
• Bounce Houses

… and so much more!

Reminder: Paid Parking is not charged at this event!

The Security Check Program is a service provided by the Oak Island Police Department, available to residents leaving their home or property for a short duration, such as a vacation or business trip.

This program is designed to provide additional safety and security to a home when the owner is out of town, by having an officer check on the residence once per day, for no more than two (2) weeks at a time, and four (4) times per year.

Criteria

• The property owner must be a fulltime resident of Oak Island
• Unless special circumstances exist, the property cannot:
  • Be a second property / vacation home
  • Be vacant due to being for sale
  • Be under construction

Please Note:

• The Security Check Program is a courtesy service, and not a replacement for personal security measures.
• The program it is not a guarantee of loss prevention
• Requests will be honored for a thirty (30) day period.
• The Oak Island Police Department will not be held responsible for break-ins or damages.
• Houses with an active security system do not qualify for the Security Check Program

How to Apply

To register a home for the Security Check program, come to the Oak Island Police Department and fill out a form in person, or just click the link below.

Child Safety Seat Checks

Child Safety Seat Checks by a CPS Technician are available by appointment:

Monday - Friday
8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

To schedule an appointment, call 910-278-5595.

Fingerprinting

Fingerprinting services are offered for residents each Monday - Friday, from 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM.

Please call 910-278-5595 in advance to schedule an appointment. Be sure to bring a fingerprint card and driver license to the appointment.

Medicine Disposal

Prescription Medicine Disposal is available through the Medicine Dropbox located in the Police Department lobby, located at 4621 E Oak Island Dr, Oak Island, NC 28465.

Monday - Saturday
8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Please bring any liquids or sharps to the front window.

E-Bikes have revolutionized the commuting and travel experience in many communities, and Oak Island is certainly no exception! That's why the Oak Island Police Department is working to ramp up our messaging for E-Bike Safety and Ordinance Awareness concerns.

(JPG, 1MB)

Remember, just because it has pedals, doesn’t mean it’s a bicycle. Using N.C.G.S. 20-4.01, E-Bikes and similar vehicles can have multiple classifications ranging from Electric Assist Bicycles, to Mopeds or even Motorcycles.

Electric Assist Bicycles are specifically classified as "having two or three wheels with fully operable pedals and an electric motor of no more than 750 watts, with a maximum speed no greater than 20 mph." Bikes with higher power ratings or faster speeds go into the mopeds and motorcycles categories, where DMV registration, insurance, and other laws apply.  

Standard bicycle laws apply for Electric Assist, meaning they CAN be driven on any public street throughout Town. They can also be ridden on sidewalks, but only under manual pedal power (no motor use).

E-Bikes CANNOT be driven on the Davis Canal Pedestrian Walkovers or the public beach strand at ANY TIME (NOTE: Town Ordinance 28-5 also restricts similar recreational devices such as scooters, Onewheels, skateboards, and unicycles).

Regardless of what you ride, the main thing to remember is SAFETY! Always wear the proper safety gear, including a certified helmet and appropriate clothing. When out riding, make sure to remain aware of your surroundings and look out for both vehicles and pedestrians. Even if you are in a situation where you have the right-of-way, do not assume other drivers will see you; try to be visible so that your intentions are known to others on the road.

Whether your bicycle is powered by electric batteries or burning carbs, we just want to ensure you arrive at your destination safely!