60 to 70 CMPD officers heading to DC to help with presidential inauguration

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Two large agencies in Charlotte have been tapped to provide assistance for Donald Trump's inauguration.

"Every four years we do, and this year will be no different.Chief Putney said they are expecting to send 60 to 70 police officers to the Washington DC for the inauguration on Jan. 20," Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Chief Kerr Putney said. "They are just there for maintain peace and support in the efforts of the local police department."

When Trump is sworn in as the 45th president of the United States, one million people are expected to be in the crowd. Officials expect at least 30 planned protests at the Capitol too.

CMPD officers are highly trained for massive events. They spent weeks training in riot gear for the 2012 Democratic National Convention in Charlotte.

More recently, they handled violent protests that erupted in Charlotte following the shooting death of Keith Lamont Scott last year.

Putney didn't say when his officers will deploy to D.C., but Charlotte Fire Department said it already sent 30 hand-help portable radios. Battalion Chief Rob Cannon said the department's equipment was purchased through a Homeland Security grant.

"They are just hand-held radios that will be on individuals, and they will be able to talk person-to-person," Cannon said.

Homeland Security did not request firefighters or support staff, but Cannon said any bit of assistance goes a long way.

"Certainly, with an event of that size and security needs, it's good to be able to help." Cannon said.

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