What is a Justice Officer

Under N.C.G.S. 17E, a justice officer is:

• A person who, through the special trust and confidence of the sheriff, has taken the oath of office as prescribed by the statute. This includes deputy sheriffs, reserve deputy sheriffs, and special deputy sheriffs but does not include clerical and support personnel not required to take an oath. A special deputy is someone who, through appointment by the sheriff becomes an unpaid criminal justice officer to perform a specific act directed by the sheriff; or
• A person who, through the special trust and confidence of the sheriff, has been appointed as a detention officer by the sheriff; or
• A person who is either the administrator or other custodial personnel of district confinement facilities as defined in G.S. 153A-219; or
• A person who, through the special trust and confidence of the sheriff, is under the direct supervision and control of the Sheriff and serves as a telecommunicator, or who is presented to the Commission for appointment as a telecommunicator by an employing entity other than the sheriff for the purpose of obtaining certification.

Under 12 NCAC 10B .0103,

• Detention Officer means any person performing responsibilities, either on
  a full-time, part-time, permanent or temporary basis, which include but are not limited to the control, care, and supervision of any inmates incarcerated in a county jail or other confinement facility under the direct supervision and management of the sheriff. "Detention Officer" also includes the administrator and other custodial personnel of district confinement facilities as defined in G.S. 153A-219.
• Deputy Sheriff means any person who has been duly appointed and
  sworn by the sheriff and who is authorized to exercise the powers of arrest in accordance with the law of North Carolina.
• Telecommunicator means any person performing responsibilities, either on a full-time, part-time, permanent, or temporary basis, for communication functions to include but not limited to receiving calls or dispatching for emergency and law enforcement services.