Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officers resign amid racist text probe

Three officers from the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD) in North Carolina have resigned following an investigation into alleged racist text messages. The messages, which reportedly included racial slurs, were discovered during an inquiry into the misuse of Flock cameras by a former officer.

Police Chief Estella Patterson described the allegations as ‘deeply troubling’ and stated that three additional officers are currently under investigation. Patterson indicated her support for the termination of the remaining three officers involved, though the city of Charlotte’s Civil Service Board holds the final authority regarding the dismissal of sworn members.

The department has conducted audits of body-worn footage, traffic stops, and arrest records to identify potential misconduct. CMPD is also partnering with federal agencies to determine if any civil rights violations occurred.