Police-Community Relations

Strong relationships of mutual trust between the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD) and the communities they serve are critical to maintaining public safety and effective policing. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Community Relations works closely with CMPD to bridge the gaps and open lines of communication, trust and understanding between the officers and the community.

CMPD is constantly evolving its practices and standards to better serve the community. To help streamline access to the latest CMPD information, the CRC Police-Community Relations Subcommittee is working to ensure that this webpage stays updated and is an additional resource for the community. The links provided are current efforts and recent policy changes that demonstrate CMPD’s commitment to residents and their safety.

• Safe Charlotte (Administrative Policy and Procedures)
  

• CMPD Response to 8 Can’t Wait and Policy Revisions
  

• CMPD Response to Racial Equity in Criminal Justice Recommendations
  

The City of Charlotte has solidified and implemented public safety policy improvements developed through conversations with residents and community leaders. City leaders and staff understand that a safer Charlotte goes beyond changes to policing and public safety. It means tackling systemic issues to ensure a community of equity and opportunity. Taking a holistic approach, we have rolled up our sleeves to address such intertwined factors as unemployment, housing, transportation and workforce development.

Among the improvements now in progress, we are: empowering more non-uniformed civilians and providing additional community resources for success.

Change does not happen overnight. But in the course of a year, we have seen meaningful and sustainable improvements in action, with more to come in the year ahead.

In the first year of SAFE Charlotte, the city has:

• Hired civilian violence interrupters to stop violence before it starts in the Beatties Ford Road community.
  

• Provided support for community organizations by granting nearly $1 million to grassroots organizations to provide job training, youth services and other support.
  

• Opened the first de-escalation training facility to provide officers with the training and communication skills they need to reduce volatile circumstances.
  

• Improved Language Access by providing Spanish-language press conferences to build and foster relationships with immigrants and residents with limited English.
  

Key next steps include:

• Granting $1 million to grassroots community organizations in 2022.
  

• Expanding crisis response teams and develop a non-sworn officer responder model for mental health and homeless calls.
  

• Adding civilian positions to support CMPD youth programs.
  

• Adding civilian positions to develop and improve CMPD officer training programs.
  

Law enforcement reforms and violence interruption programs are only part of the solution to creating a safer Charlotte. The City of Charlotte’s all-in approach also focuses on helping residents thrive because of improved opportunities for affordable housing, jobs, and safe, reliable transportation.

Community Relations' community coordinators support the activities of CMPD, maintain contact with special interest and community groups, identify community needs and provide resources to meet those needs. They also work with officers to provide conflict resolution and de-escalation services to youth in schools across the community. Please visit Community Affairs to learn more or to connect with the community coordinators.

Established in 1979, this awards program promotes and expresses the community's appreciation to police officers who have made an outstanding contribution to the improvement of police-community relations. Each year, officers are recognized for their advanced creative solutions to neighborhood problems; for demonstrating extraordinary efforts in the area of crime prevention; and for their involvement in helping neighborhoods handle special needs. Please vist Police-Community Relations Awards to learn more