Effective July 1, on the 96th anniversary of its founding, the North Carolina State Highway Patrol has officially been elevated to an independent, Cabinet-level department, a significant restructuring resulting from the enactment of Senate Bill 382 passed in 2024.
Originally a disaster relief measure allocating $227 million to the Hurricane Helene Disaster Recovery Fund, SB 382 encompassed extensive changes to the state’s governmental structure. Notably, it reclassified the NCSHP as a standalone agency, transferring oversight of the NC Division of Motor Vehicles License and Theft Bureau to the NCSHP. Under the bill, the NC State Capitol Police now operates under the direction of the Highway Patrol commander.
SB 382 also reallocated control over the State Board of Elections and transferred this authority to the state auditor, Republican Dave Boliek, who took office in January 2025, as well as granting the auditor authority over appointing elections board. Gov. Josh Stein sued over that provision, but the North Carolina Supreme Court ruled, 5-2, that Boliek could maintain control of state elections as the lawsuit moves forward.
Former Gov. Roy Cooper vetoed SB 382 on Nov. 26, 2024, but the Republican-controlled General Assembly overrode Cooper’s veto, with the Senate voting 30-19 and the House 72-46 to enact the bill into law.
“This legislation was titled disaster relief, but instead violates the Constitution by taking appointments away from the next governor, for the board of elections, utilities commissions and commander of the North Carolina Highway Patrol, letting political parties choose appellate judges and interfering with the Attorney General’s ability to advocate for lower electrical bills for consumers,” Cooper stated in his veto message at the time.
The law also directed Stein to re-appoint Colonel Freddy Johnson to a new five-year term as commander of the NCSHP. Cooper originally appointed Johnson to lead the patrol in April 2021.
Cooper and Stein also unsuccessfully sued Johnson and state lawmakers earlier this year, arguing that the law violated the governor’s authority in not allowing Stein to choose another candidate or to remove Johnson from the post. The court ruled that Stein had failed to prove that the act was unconstitutional.
On Tuesday, Johnson addressed Highway Patrol changes in a departmental Facebook post, stating, “Today marks an important day in both the history of our agency … and the beginning of a future as an independent, cabinet-level department.”
He welcomed the integration of the License and Theft Bureau and the oversight of the State Capitol Police, emphasizing the strengthened capabilities and services the unified agency will provide to North Carolinians.
“I am personally excited for what the future holds with these changes and know that our success is a certainty thanks to the people that collectively make up our state’s largest law enforcement agency,” Johnson said. “Thank you to all our retired and current members a part of our 96 years of excellence, sacrifice, and service. Today’s milestone is only possible thanks to the work and sacrifices you invested into our life-saving mission.”
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Author: CJ Staff
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