‘We’re proud to be here’: 40 Meck County deputies sent to DC to help with inauguration security

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Dozens of Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officers and Mecklenburg County deputies will be at President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration to help with security after the attack on the Capitol earlier this month.

Law enforcement from all over the country have been called to Washington D.C. That includes more than 25,000 National Guard Troops -- 950 of them from the Carolinas.

Channel 9 learned that 40 county deputies left Monday morning to head for the Capitol. Each one signed up for the job before the attack on the Capitol.

Officials said the deputies will provide security for the inauguration, secure buildings and help with traffic routes during events.

“We’re proud to be here and to be a moment of history because this is, as you alluded to, an inauguration like no other,” Capt. Michael Matys said.

Matys is leading the sheriff’s team. He said they’ll be stationed around the Lincoln Memorial where concerts are planned, but of course those plans could change.

“We’re actually looking at like a 14 hour to 16 hour day, somewhere in that range, so we have our work cut out for us,” he said.

Matys said veterans of other inaugurations told him it is the most security they have seen in Washington D.C. since the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11.

CMPD sent about 90 specially trained officers to help during the event.

“Last night we were sworn in, and just a sea of law enforcement personnel all coming together for a common goal, a peaceful transition. It was incredible, it really was,” Matys said.

Channel 9 also spoke with former CMPD chief Rodney Monroe, who formerly worked for the Metro Police Department in Washington.

We asked him about concerns some people might arrive dressed in military gear to blend in with law enforcement. He said every officer there will have special ID for the event with their photo on it.

“That is one of the key things you will be looking for, that unique emblem that gives people certain access,” Monroe said.

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