Cumberland County weighs eight new private armed security guards for courthouse

Almost a million dollars may go to increased court security in Cumberland County. 

2026-07-20

On the heels of two disturbing shootings at local courthouses, including last week in Wilson, the county commissioners in Cumberland County are discussing the courthouse security expansion by hiring eight armed security guards through Allied Universal. 

It's significance: all armed security at the courthouse is provided by the Cumberland County Sheriff's office. There are no private security guards staffing the courthouse, meaning it would be the first time court visitors would see private security staffing the checkpoints and not the sheriff's office. 

 The eight newly funded armed guards, totaling more than $800,000 would be placed at the entrances and exits to the courthouse. 

District Attorney for Cumberland County Billy West, told WRAL the goal is to free up sheriff's deputies, who would then be available to patrol courtrooms and hallways and other parts of the building more easily. 

He says if they're freed up from guarding the security checkpoints... they will be free to patrol and guard the rest of the building more easily. 

"This would be a new concept for us. I know it's a model that's worked in Wake County, Forsyth County, other courthouses have used this model," West said.