Kinston Police Department

Kinston's Police Department in North Carolina builds its approach around solving problems together with residents, who are expected to play a part in keeping the community safe. A cold case unit includes a forensic nurse investigator and advocacy specialist, a board-certified sexual assault nurse examiner whose background spans sexual and domestic violence response, death investigation and victim advocacy. The department posts annual reports going back to 2020 along with quarterly crime reports, and it works under a strategic plan for 2022 through 2027. Community programs include the Sentinels, Project Safe and Sound, a Citizens Police Academy, the KPD Podcast, the CLEAR, PACE and GREAT programs, KPD Inspire, a summer camp and Lunch With LAW, and the department takes part in the North Carolina Governor's Highway Safety Program. Grants help pay for equipment, specialized training and new programs beyond what the city budget alone can support, and a budget review for the 2025-2026 fiscal year is published online for residents.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau (ACS 2023), Kinston city, NC has an estimated population of 19,576.