The force is part of the North Carolina Department of Public Safety.
The force was formed by the North Carolina General Assembly on 13 August 1967, in response to a spate of thefts and incidents of vandalism at state government buildings in Raleigh, the state capital.
After the State Capitol Police Force was created, 18 security guards remained a part of the force, and provided a security presence when the uniformed police officers were not on duty.
"Chip" Hawley, the force currently provides a range of services, including escorting high-value cash movements, criminal investigations and surveillance through the Criminal Investigations Unit, crowd management through the Civil Disturbance Team, emergency telecommunications, including alarm and surveillance monitoring, and parking enforcement.
[2] In 2011, the force was reorganised, and had 40 sworn officers, 18 non-sworn security guards, and three civilian staff.