The department commits to excellence through our core values:

Professionalism — The Police Department will deliver quality services through cooperation, open communication and a commitment to continuous improvement.

Integrity — Integrity involves honesty, compassion, trust and accountability. Police officers have the courage to do what is morally, ethically and legally right, regardless of risk.

Community — Beyond just serving the community, the Police Department is an active member of the community and will contribute and engage. 

Service — Service is fundamental to who the Police Department is and why we exist. We serve all people with fairness, dignity and respect.

Positivity — We will maintain a “Yes we can!” mindset and an optimistic outlook that sees challenges as opportunities. We will celebrate the good things about policing, the department and the town. 

Mission 

The Hillsborough Police Department exists to make the Hillsborough vision a reality by providing exceptional service, protecting and enhancing our community, helping those in need, and exemplifying policing at its best through the most positive and professional law enforcement services possible.

Vision

The Hillsborough Police Department will be an example of the very best law enforcement service possible and will always strive to exceed our community’s expectations through our character, operations, interactions and personnel. 

The Hillsborough Police Department is organized into two divisions, each led by a major who serves as an assistant police chief.

Administration and Support Division

• Oversees the department's administration, including internal accountability and records.
• Manages community policing, including the canine unit.
• Conducts investigations.
• Handles recruitment and training.

Operations Division

• Provides primary response to 911 calls.
• Serves as the front line protecting the community.

• Subscribe to town news.
• Sign up for emergency notifications through OC Alerts.

Read our social media policies and disclaimers.

To make an anonymous crime tip:

• Call 919-296-9555.
• Use See it, Say it, Send it website.
• Use See it, Say it, Send it iOS app.
• Use See it, Say it, Send it Android app.

Feedback and Requests

Use the Police Department contact forms to:

• Comment on police public policies.
• Request an accident or incident report. 
• Request an officer to appear at an event.
• Request a canine demonstration.
• Share traffic or other concerns.
• Submit a complaint about an officer.
• Submit praise for an officer.
• Other non-emergency needs.

The Police Department relies on an internal review process for accountability to policies, laws and best practices for the department's work.

The internal review process addresses external complaints as well as incidents flagged internally for review. Every effort is made to investigate complaints from the community as completely as possible from the information provided.

Example Internal Review

Use of force is an example of an incident that may trigger an internal review. Department policy requires that use of force is reported for the display of a weapon toward a person and for any action that goes beyond the reasonably expected use of soft hands for guidance when detaining a person. 

• Each incident of reported use of force is reviewed at several levels. 
• A review generally includes:
  • Viewing body worn camera footage.
  • Reviewing statements of the officers, witnesses and suspects involved.
  • Assessing any other possible evidence.

Public Policies

Quarterly Transparency Reports

See past reports on the town's archival site.

• Transparency Report: 2024, Quarter 1
• Transparency Report: 2024, Quarter 2

Public Policies

• Camera Systems Policy
• Distracted Driving Policy
• Use of Force Policy