WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Governor Josh Stein is calling on state lawmakers to increase funding for law enforcement, with a focus on recruitment, retention, and mental health support for first responders.
Speaking at the North Carolina Sheriffs’ Association Spring Conference, Stein outlined several priorities included in his proposed 2026-2027 state budget.
“The program that DPS offers, the Responder Assistance Initiative, provides mental health support for first responders. My recommended budget would invest more in that worthy program to support your deputies,” Stein said.
Stein’s proposal includes more than $970 million in targeted investments aimed at strengthening law enforcement, addressing root causes of crime, and improving health outcomes statewide.
The plan calls for a 5% pay raise for state law enforcement officers, correctional officers, nurses, and health technicians. That increase would come on top of a previously recommended 10% raise in his Critical Needs Budget. It also includes bonuses for Basic Law Enforcement Training graduates and officers transferring from out of state.
Mental health support for first responders was a key topic during the conference, a priority echoed by Brunswick County Sheriff Brian Chism.
“We’re human just like everybody else, we’re not robots, and sometimes people view us that way, so we have to make sure that our folks are taken care of both physically and mentally,” Chism said.
Recruitment and retention were also central to Monday’s discussion. Chism said competitive pay is critical to attracting and keeping deputies, noting his office is using public relations efforts and salary increases to bring in new hires.
“Across the state, law enforcement is not paid enough to do what we have to do, to run towards the fire, to see and hear the things we have to deal with every single day, they don’t get paid enough,” Chism said. “I’m glad to see they’re working on it, we’re working on it at a local level, and it’s again, we go to get the pay up so we can get people interested in law enforcement.”
In addition to pay raises, Stein’s budget proposal addresses staffing shortages at the State Bureau of Investigation by fully funding the agency and creating a cold case unit. It also proposes a fentanyl control unit to target drug trafficking, stabilizing the VIPER communications network for first responders, and expanding the use of body cameras.
Stein also highlighted ongoing efforts to combat the opioid epidemic. During his time as attorney general, North Carolina helped secure more than $55 billion in settlements from opioid manufacturers, distributors, and pharmacies.
State leaders say North Carolina has seen a 34% decline in overdose and poisoning deaths, the first drop since 2019. The governor’s budget proposal includes expanding access to medication-assisted treatment in correctional facilities and strengthening enforcement efforts targeting fentanyl.