Sources: CMPD chief decision made, announcement expected soon

CHARLOTTE — The city of Charlotte has made its decision on the next Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department chief, multiple sources tell Channel 9’s Hunter Sáenz and Joe Bruno.

An announcement is expected Thursday or Friday with a formal introduction next week, according to multiple sources, but the timing could change.

Multiple names have been thrown around as contenders for the job after the city announced a nationwide search for the position in May. That’s when CMPD Chief Johnny Jennings announced his retirement.

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While no official announcement has been made, sources indicate that Minneapolis Police Department Chief Brian O’Hara and former Raleigh Police Chief Estella Patterson are the names generating the most buzz within the department.

The Minneapolis Police Department, however, has disputed O’Hara’s candidacy, stating that he did not apply for the position.

Patterson retired earlier this year from the Raleigh Police Department, where she was chief. Before that, she was a deputy chief with CMPD.

“For sure, there is a lot of gossip going on; there is a lot of trying to figure out what’s going on,” said Joel McNelly, a retired CMPD captain, reflecting on the speculation surrounding the selection process.

McNelly mentioned that while the process has been quiet, those in higher ranks might be experiencing anxiety over potential changes a new chief could bring.

“You’re a lieutenant or a captain or a major; that could mean some really major decisions in your life, and there is a higher level of anxiety as to what a new chief will be like,” he said.

Jennings is slated to retire at the end of the year. He announced the decision after a Channel 9 report revealed a secret Charlotte City Council settlement following the debate over outer carrier vests.

He even considered legal action against the city of Charlotte after multiple private, heated exchanges with Councilman Tariq Bokhari.

Jennings worked for CMPD for 33 years and served as chief since July 2020.

The city of Charlotte carried out a survey among residents to determine the priorities for the next chief search. Channel 9 has requested the results from that survey.

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Fraternal Order of Police previously called for an outside hire.

Sources said many CMPD officers would like to see someone hired outside of the department.

Jennings started with the department in 1992 and worked his way up to chief in 2020.

Crime rates trended down during his time there, according to CMPD.

Jennings was also a part of House Bill 813, which enhanced pretrial release conditions for adults.

He launched the CMPD Serves program to improve the department’s relationship with the people they serve.

Recruitment increased by 18% to 31%.

An announcement regarding the new CMPD chief is expected within a week, leaving department members and the community anticipating potential surprises in the final decision.

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