Demands for Clarity After CMPD Officers Implicated in Racist Texts

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – WCCB Charlotte has been inquiring with the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department regarding whether six officers face termination following the discovery of a racist text thread. The CMPD did not provide a direct answer but issued a general statement emphasizing their intolerance for behaviors that conflict with their core values and undermine community trust.

The discussions within the text thread reportedly included the use of racial slurs, conversations about shooting at Black individuals, and a competition among officers aimed at stopping the most Black drivers. Darlene Harris, a civil rights attorney with Power and Protection Law Firm in Charlotte, expressed her alarm at these allegations, highlighting the concerning statistics around traffic stops involving Black drivers compared to their white counterparts.

During an inquiry into Officer Seth Elliott’s alleged misuse of Flock camera data, these messages were found unintentionally. Harris advocates for regular monitoring and oversight of officer conduct. WCCB has filed an open records request with CMPD to uncover the identities of the officers facing termination, but the department maintains that such records are confidential. Harris raised concerns that unidentified officers could simply relocate and continue misconduct elsewhere.

Officers recommended for termination may appeal to the Civil Service Board, which hears these cases in a quasi-judicial manner.