Winston-Salem Police Department

What Winston-Salem Police Department does

The Winston-Salem Police Department (WSPD) is the primary municipal law enforcement agency for Winston-Salem, North Carolina, operating under the City of Winston-Salem government and led by Chief William H. Penn, Jr. The department is staffed with 472 allocated sworn officer positions and 185 allocated professional staff positions organized across four geographic districts, providing continuous 24/7 service coverage. WSPD's operational portfolio spans a standard municipal policing architecture — Patrol Division (minimum 2-year rotation before specialized unit eligibility), Criminal Investigations Division, K-9 Unit, SWAT, Gun Crime Reduction Unit, Hazardous Devices Unit, Community Resources Unit, and a Training Division that delivers over 1,000 hours of academy training, exceeding North Carolina state requirements by more than 400 hours.

The department's core technology platform is the Real Time Crime Center (RTCC), a centralized intelligence hub that integrates third-party technologies including Shotspotter (acoustic gunshot detection), Live 911 (real-time emergency call intelligence), and fususCORE (camera system integration). A public-facing Camera Registry Program allows local businesses and residents to share camera locations with the department, and an anonymous text-tip system (336-276-1717) extends citizen reporting channels. WSPD has no commercial revenue model; it is fully funded through the City of Winston-Salem municipal budget derived from tax receipts. The department's "go-to-market" activity is exclusively in the recruitment domain — attracting sworn officers and professional staff through a multi-channel approach spanning community events (Coffee with a Cop, Pizza with Police & Pups Against Crime, National Night Out), sports marketing partnerships with local universities, scholarship and cadet programs at HBCUs and community colleges, and the dedicated joinwspdnow.org recruitment platform, all anchored by the "Be Real. Be You. Be Blue." employer brand campaign. Customer segments include the citizens of Winston-Salem (primary service recipients), HBCU students, community college students pursuing criminal justice degrees, and high school youth in the Youth Citizens Police Academy.

Name

Winston-Salem Police Department

Legal name

The Winston-Salem Police Department and the City of Winston-Salem

Website

https://joinwspdnow.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Winston-Salem Police Department is a municipal law enforcement agency serving Winston-Salem, North Carolina with 472 allocated sworn officers and 185 professional staff across four districts, operating a Real Time Crime Center and active community engagement programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Law Enforcement Services

NAICS

Police Protection (922120), Police Protection (92212)

akta.pro primary industry

Police Services (Patrol, Response & Community Policing) (BPAIAGAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Specialized Law Enforcement Units (SWAT, K9, Bomb Squad, Tactical) (BPAIAGAH), Public Safety Operations & Command (Incident Command, Special Events) (BPAIAGAG), Crime Prevention & Community Policing Programs (EDALAEAG)

Keywords

• Law enforcement services
• Municipal policing
• Public safety
• Crime prevention
• Community policing

Headquarters

HQ city

Winston-Salem

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Municipal Government Funding: As a municipal police department, WSPD is funded through the City of Winston-Salem government budget, supported by tax revenues. No commercial revenue generation.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Winston-Salem Police Department provides municipal law enforcement and public safety services across four geographic districts in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, operating 24/7 with 472 allocated officer positions and 185 professional staff. Services include patrol operations, criminal investigations, K-9, SWAT, emergency response, and community policing programs, supported by a proprietary Real-Time Crime Center integrating surveillance, gunshot detection, and live 911 technologies. The department also runs recruitment pipelines including cadet, scholarship, and academy training programs.

Product overview

The Winston-Salem Police Department (WSPD) operates as a comprehensive law enforcement agency serving Winston-Salem, North Carolina, with 472 allocated officer positions and 185 professional staff positions across 4 districts. The department offers a broad portfolio of specialized units and programs including Patrol Division, Criminal Investigations Division, K-9 Unit, SWAT, Real-Time Crime Center (RTCC), Community Resources Unit, and specialized investigative units (GCRU, SID, VFIT). Community engagement programs include Citizens Police Academy, Youth Citizens Police Academy, and various Coffee with a Cop events. The department supports career development through Cadet Programs and scholarship programs (Bonner-Redd-Surratt-Davis for HBCU students and App State Scholarship) that provide educational funding in exchange for service commitments. Professional staff positions include Communications Operators, Crime Analysts, IT support, and administrative roles. The department leverages technology including Shotspotter, Live 911, and camera integration systems through the Real-Time Crime Center.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Patrol Division Frontline law enforcement responding to calls for service across four geographic districts in Winston-Salem 24/7; WSPD officers must serve a minimum of 2 years on Patrol before becoming eligible for specialized units.
• Criminal Investigations Division (CID) Responsible for solving serious crimes including homicides, robberies, assaults, and fraud; detectives gather evidence, interview witnesses, and work with prosecutors.
• K-9 Unit Highly trained police dogs paired with officers to assist in tracking suspects, detecting drugs and explosives, and searching for missing persons.
• Special Weapons and Tactics Team (SWAT) Responds to high-risk situations including hostage rescues, barricaded suspects, and armed threats with specialized tactical operations and crisis response capabilities.
• Gun Crime Reduction Unit (GCRU) Dedicated to investigating and reducing gun-related violence, working closely with federal, state, and local agencies to track illegal firearms and arrest violent offenders.
• Hazardous Devices Unit (HDU) / Bomb Squad Responds to incidents involving explosives, suspicious packages, and hazardous materials with officers trained to handle dangerous situations safely.
• Real-Time Crime Center (RTCC) Technology hub dedicated to empowering officers in the field with cutting-edge technologies including camera integration, Shotspotter, and Live 911 to enhance policing efficiency and effectiveness.
• Training Division Provides top-tier instruction in law enforcement tactics, firearms, de-escalation, and crisis intervention, overseeing recruit training, continuing education, and professional development.
• Communications Operator (911 Dispatch) 911 Operator position answering emergency and non-emergency calls, gathering critical information, and dispatching appropriate police resources.
• Community Resources Unit (CRU) Leads crime prevention and community relations initiatives including organizing youth education programs, neighborhood watch groups, and public crime prevention education.
• Citizens Police Academy A multi-week community education program designed to give residents a behind-the-scenes look at the Winston-Salem Police Department, covering patrol operations, investigations, training, and policies.
• Youth Citizens Police Academy A free program for rising high school freshmen through high school seniors interested in exploring law enforcement careers.
• Active Assailant Training Educational program teaching survival strategies (Avoid, Deny, Defend) for active assailant events.
• Cadet Program Program for recent high school graduates offering paid employment while attending college, working 20 hours per week at WSPD while completing Criminal Justice studies.
• Bonner-Redd-Surratt-Davis Scholarship Program Scholarship program for students at historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) covering tuition, books, and fees with a summer internship requirement and three-year service commitment.
• App State Scholarship Program Scholarship program for Appalachian State University Criminal Justice majors covering tuition, books, and fees with a summer internship and three-year service commitment.
• Take-Home Car Program Program allowing sworn officers to drive marked patrol cars to and from work and off-duty assignments, with eligibility up to 60 miles outside downtown Winston-Salem.

Quantifiable outcome

• 472 allocated officer positions and 185 professional staff positions across 4 districts
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Wake Forest UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSports marketing partnership including paid advertisements, online promotions, and sponsorship of football games to raise awareness about WSPD career opportunities and scholarships among student population.
• Winston-Salem State UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSports marketing partnership including sponsorship of football games to connect with students and community about law enforcement career opportunities.
• Appalachian State UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDedicated scholarship program partnership for Criminal Justice majors interested in law enforcement careers. Includes tuition, books, and fees coverage for sophomores, juniors, and seniors maintaining 3.0 GPA.
• Greensboro ColiseumminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSports marketing partnership for major sporting events sponsorship to expand recruitment reach beyond Winston-Salem.
• Forsyth Technical Community CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCadet Program partnership allowing students to work 20 hours per week at WSPD while pursuing Criminal Justice degree. Full tuition, books, and fees covered.
• Davidson Community CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCadet Program partnership for Criminal Justice students to gain hands-on experience while attending college.
• Surry Community CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCadet Program partnership for Criminal Justice students to gain hands-on experience while attending college.
• Rockingham Community CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCadet Program partnership for Criminal Justice students to gain hands-on experience while attending college.
• Guilford Technical Community CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCadet Program partnership for Criminal Justice students to gain hands-on experience while attending college.
• Winston-Salem Fire DepartmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint participation in Battle of the Badges Hockey Game event to raise funds for Forsyth Humane Society and strengthen inter-agency relationships.
• Emergency Responders Credit UnionminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsorship of Battle of the Badges Hockey Game event for community engagement and fundraising.
• Forsyth Humane SocietyminorOthersBeneficiary of Battle of the Badges Hockey Game fundraising event proceeds.
• fususCOREcoreTechnology or IntegrationTechnology partnership for camera integration device enabling seamless security camera system connection with WSPD Real Time Crime Center.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• Forsyth County Sheriff's Office: County-level law enforcement agency operating in the same Winston-Salem/Forsyth County jurisdiction as WSPD. Comparable in sworn officer structure, training, and overlapping service area, though broader in jurisdiction.

Broad incumbents

• Atlanta Police Department: Significantly larger municipal police department comparable in operating model (patrol, CID, SWAT, RTCC) and similar Southeast US urban context. Functions as a scaled analog of WSPD's structure.
• Metropolitan Police Department (Washington, D.C.): Large municipal police agency with deeply developed community policing, RTCC, and specialized units. Comparable governance model and public-sector accountability framework to WSPD.

Direct peers

• Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department: Largest municipal police department in North Carolina, serving Charlotte-Mecklenburg. Directly comparable to WSPD as a state-level peer with similar patrol, CID, SWAT, and community policing structure, but at much larger scale.
• Durham Police Department: Another NC municipal police department comparable in jurisdiction size and service mix. Competes with WSPD for lateral transfer candidates and shared state training resources.
• Raleigh Police Department: NC state capital police department similar in size to WSPD with comparable patrol, investigative, and community engagement functions. Operates in the same regulatory and competitive labor market for sworn officers.
• Greensboro Police Department: Neighboring NC municipal police department of similar scale and structure. Comparable in service offerings, technology adoption, and recruitment challenges in the Triad labor market.

Others

• Fusus: Provider of the fususCORE camera integration device used by WSPD's RTCC to aggregate private camera feeds. Direct ecosystem partner in WSPD's technology-led policing model.
• Axon Enterprise: Primary technology vendor to law enforcement (body cameras, in-car systems, TASER, evidence management). WSPD's in-car computer systems and online reporting platforms use or could substitute Axon products, making it a direct ecosystem partner.
• SoundThinking (ShotSpotter): Vendor of the gunshot detection technology integrated into WSPD's RTCC. Direct technology supplier central to WSPD's crime-fighting value proposition.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/cityofwspolice
• Facebookfacebook.com/Cityofwspolice
• Instagraminstagram.com/cityofwspolice
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/winston-salem-police-department

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Winston-Salem Police Department