Case Update: CMPD Internal Affairs Investigation Completed
Published on December 12, 2023
Charlotte, N.C. – (Tuesday, December 12, 2023) – Today, Police Chief Johnny Jennings announced the ruling of the CMPD Internal Affairs investigation into this incident, which determined six of the officers were exonerated, meaning that they were justified in their actions. However, the allegation of excessive use of force against one officer was sustained.
On Tuesday, December 12, 2023, a CMPD independent chain of command review board examined all the facts of the investigation surrounding the seven officers involved in this incident.
“The Internal Affairs hearing on the seven officers involved has concluded and ruled that six officers were exonerated (justified) and one officer was sustained (not justified),” said CMPD Chief Johnny Jennings. “Fourteen strikes to the female’s leg came after her hands were behind her back. These strikes were not deemed justified. If the officer made an assessment after three leg strikes, he would have seen that they were effective, and the female’s hands were behind her back. The officer will receive a 40-hour suspension as a result. I want to thank the independent Internal Affairs Board for their thorough investigation.”
The internal affairs investigation into this incident was an exhaustive, nearly month-long process. It involved speaking to witnesses, interviewing officers, identifying video surveillance and photographs, and compiling all of the facts for the review board.
Video footage of this incident was released earlier this morning (see below).
For further information on this case, please refer to the incident report: 20231113-1406-00
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Video Release of Steele Creek Division Bus Stop Arrests
Charlotte, N.C. – (Tuesday, December 12, 2023) – Today, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD) released video of an incident involving officers and two uncooperative arrestees in the Steele Creek Division that resulted in a response to resistance. This incident occurred on November 13, 2023. The footage was court-ordered for release following a petition by CMPD.
On Monday, November 13, 2023, shortly after 2 p.m., officers in the Steele Creek Division self-initiated a suspicious person call for service after observing a male and female subject smoking suspected marijuana at a city-owned bus stop in the 7700 block of South Tryon Street.
The officers stopped, engaged the two individuals, and attempted to detain them. Both individuals resisted the officers and a struggle with officers ensued. The female subject struck an officer several times. In response to being struck multiple times by the female, the officer then struck her in the face in an attempt to prevent from being assaulted further. The officers called for backup to assist with the call for service. The female subject continued to resist arrest and after several repeated verbal commands, one of the backup officers administered compliance strikes to the subject’s right thigh in an effort to gain control and place her in custody. The officer who administered the strikes was intentional about where the strikes were made. The use of compliance strikes is included in CMPD’s Response to Resistance Directive. Once the male subject was taken into custody, officers located a concealed, loaded 9 mm handgun in his bag.
Both the male and female subject were arrested. The male subject, Anthony Lee (DOB 03/10/1986), was charged with Carrying a Concealed Firearm, Resist/Delay/Obstruct and Simple Possession of Marijuana. The female subject, Christina Pierre (DOB 07/13/1999), was charged with Assault on a Government Official, Resist/Delay/Obstruct and Simple Possession of Marijuana.
The CMPD Internal Affairs investigation into this incident is ongoing.
In response to community concerns, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Community Relations is organizing a Community and Police Collaboration Group to collectively review certain CMPD policies including response to resistance and provide the organization with recommendations for consideration. Starting in December, the meetings will include faith-based and community leaders, which will culminate with a presentation of policy recommendations to the CMPD in June 2024.
For further information on this case, please refer to the incident report: 20231113-1406-00
The collection of videos included in this release contains footage from Body Worn Cameras (BWC), a street camera, interview rooms and a civilian.
Critical Incident Briefing video breaking down video footage & explaining the incident in greater detail, CLICK HERE
Link to all of the video footage captured in this incident, CLICK HERE
Attached to this email is the Lab Report from the marijuana taken from Ms. Pierre and Mr. Lee.
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Two Subjects Arrested in Incident with Officers in Steele Creek Division
Charlotte, N.C. – (Wednesday, November 15, 2023) - On Monday, November 13, 2023, shortly after 2 p.m., officers in the Steele Creek Division self-initiated a suspicious person call for service after observing a male and female subject smoking marijuana at a bus stop in the 7700 block of South Tryon Street.
The officers stopped, engaged the two individuals, and stated that they were under arrest. The female subject became combative and struck an officer in the face. Both individuals refused arrest and a struggle with officers ensued. The officers called for backup to assist with the call for service. Once the male subject was taken into custody, officers located a concealed, loaded 9 mm handgun in his bag. The female subject continued to resist arrest and after several repeated verbal commands, one of the backup officers administered compliance strikes to the subject’s right thigh in an effort to gain control and prevent further assault.
The actions of the officers are in accordance with North Carolina General Statute 15A-401 (d) (1) outlined below:
Use of Force in Arrest. -
(1) Subject to the provisions of subdivision (2), a law-enforcement officer is justified in using force upon another person when and to the extent that he reasonably believes it necessary:
a. To prevent the escape from custody or to effect an arrest of a person who he reasonably believes has committed a criminal offense, unless he knows that the arrest is unauthorized; or
b. To defend himself or a third person from what he reasonably believes to be the use or imminent use of physical force while effecting or attempting to effect an arrest or while preventing or attempting to prevent an escape.
The officers repeatedly advised the female subject to stop resisting. The officer who administered the strikes was intentional about where the strikes were made. The use of compliance strikes is included in CMPD’s response to resistance directives.
Both the male and female subject were arrested. The male subject, Anthony Lee (DOB 03/10/1986), is charged with Carrying a Concealed Firearm, Resist/Delay/Obstruct and Simple Possession of Marijuana. The female subject, Christina Pierre (DOB 07/13/1999), is charged with Assault on a Government Official, Resist/Delay/Obstruct and Simple Possession of Marijuana.
The officer who administered the compliance strikes is identified as Vincent Pistone. Due to conversations with community leaders and safety concerns for the officer, we have placed Officer Pistone on temporary assignment in investigations. He is not actively on patrol at this time.
“I had the opportunity to view this video, and it is not easy to watch. I never want to see an officer, much less one of my own, involved in a situation like this. Our officers are trained to engage and interact with people and manage situations to the best of their abilities based on the training they receive. When individuals physically assault officers and refuse to comply with police and when they resist arrest, officers must physically engage with them to safely take them into custody. Our officers are often placed in difficult situations that require actions that can be difficult to watch. CMPD works tirelessly to keep this community safe. I watched the body worn camera footage and believe that it tells more of the story than what is circulating on social media. The public deserves to view this footage as well, but based on NC state law, I am not permitted to release body worn camera footage without a court order. I have asked for our police attorney to file a petition with the court, so we are able to share this video with the public. This process will take time, but CMPD will update as soon as the court allows.” - Chief Johnny Jennings
For additional information about this case, please refer to the report: 20231113-1406-00.
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