Fallout grows over alleged racist texts involving CMPD officers

CHARLOTTE — There’s growing fallout over racist text messages allegedly sent by Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department officers.

Channel 9 is choosing not to name them at this time because they have not been charged with anything.

One of them was president of their recruit class, and another received an employee of the month award earlier this year.

The six police officers could be fired over racist text messages, sources told Channel 9.

Those messages included uses of the “N-word” and likened the officers to a “Klan rally,” sources said.

“Reading over what we’re hearing now, if you’re Black you should be worried,” said Robert Dawkins, with Action NC.

Dawkins, a longtime activist, added, “When you see one officer, that’s a problem. When you see multiple officers engaging in something and had the time and ability to locate each other, seeing if they had a shared racist concern - then that’s a systemic issue.”

The messages were found as the State Bureau of Investigation looked into former CMPD Officer Seth Elliott, who was arrested in July for misusing Flock camera information, sources said.

Channel 9 learned that the six officers are a mix of races, including African American.

One of them was president of their recruit class, and another was awarded an employee of the month award earlier this year.

Dawkins, along with City Councilman Malcolm Graham, still has confidence in Chief Estella Patterson, but some believe the department must do more.

“She is no-nonsense, and she’s going to hold her officers to higher standards,” Graham said. “But we also have to have faith in the 1,800 sworn, and over the past few weeks, we’ve seen a few things.”

Dawkins would like to see more training for officers.

Dawkins and Graham spoke about allegations that the officers had a competition to see who could pull over the most Black people, but Channel 9 has not confirmed that.

There is sure to be fallout from this that could lead to a review of the cases where people were pulled over or arrested by these officers.

CMPD said it does not tolerate behavior that contradicts its core values.

The department highlighted that Chief Patterson pushes for collective responsibility for maintaining the utmost ethical standards.

CMPD also says it strives for excellence, accountability, and transparency.

The next step will be for the city’s Civil Service Board to hear evidence and make a final decision on whether these officers will be fired.

We will keep you updated as more developments happen.