Thursday, August 27, 2020

June 2nd CMPD Body Cam Videos Released - As Expected Liberals Scream "We Told You So"

From the local paper:

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department officials revealed Wednesday that a CMPD sergeant was suspended for two weeks without pay after making what the department has deemed “insensitive” comments during a protest on June 2. During the protest officers deployed tear gas, pepper balls and other chemical agents against largely peaceful demonstrators.

Newly released video footage shows officers protesters march by moments before the incident. An officer can be heard telling officers that the demonstrators were about to be “hammered” by police.

“Wave goodbye they're all about to be gassed,” an officer says.


Dozens of videos released Wednesday provide the most detailed look to date at an incident that sparked widespread condemnation of CMPD and calls for far-reaching reforms within the department.

Police department officials did not specify what the officer’s comments were and did not identify the officer, who is a supervisor and who was previously assigned to CMPD’s bicycle unit, which responds to large-scale events and protests in the city.

Now-retired Chief Kerr Putney previously described the use of “chemical munitions” on protesters as the safest form of crowd control.

On Wednesday, Chief Johnny Jennings reiterated that no other CMPD officers have been disciplined in connection to the incident, which has already led to a lawsuit, significant policy changes and a now-expired temporary restraining order against the department to restrict use of chemical agents on peaceful demonstrators. And the City Council voted earlier this summer to restrict funding for tear gas.

That bike unit sergeant was also barred from training officers and being promoted for the next two years, Jennings said during a news conference Wednesday morning.

The sergeant’s conversation, intended to stay private, was captured in an expansive string of footage from the fifth night of demonstrations in Charlotte, tied to the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Jennings said the sergeant regrets his “unprofessional, insensitive and unacceptable comments,” though “significant” discipline was necessary.

“The degree of harm, I think, is great because the public has the certain expectation of us,” Jennings said. “We have high expectations of ourselves — and not just of ourselves, but of our supervisors.”

The police chief’s announcement came hours before the department released long-awaited videos — including body camera and surveillance footage — from the night protesters said they were trapped while marching along Fourth Street. Jennings was a deputy police chief at the time of the incident.

Jennings on Wednesday continued to defend CMPD’s use of chemical agents in June due to “riotous activity.”

Yet Jennings also outlined tactical changes for how police issue dispersal orders and wear body cameras, two contentious aspects from the June 2 incident that came under scrutiny in a state review.

June 2 was the fifth night of tense protests in Charlotte stemming from the death of George Floyd, who died after a Minneapolis police officer kneeled on his neck during an arrest.

More than 50 different videos — accounting for more than 100 hours of recordings — were made publicly available by Wednesday afternoon. Charlotte City Council and Mayor Vi Lyles reviewed the body-worn camera footage during a closed-session meeting Tuesday, city spokesman Cory Burkarth said.

A spokesperson for Lyles did not respond to a request for an interview Wednesday.

In June, Lyles sharply criticized CMPD’s tactics, saying the “night was one of those times that none of can be proud of.”

“I hope everyone is aware that that’s not the kind of department we want to have for policing,” Lyles has told reporters. “It’s not the kind of reputation that we want to have nationally or locally.

Previously, a N.C. State Bureau of Investigation review found protesters were not blocked by police and had possible escape routes. The SBI said one exit path was on South College Street, though the review notes protesters were hit by chemical agents while running into the area.

The SBI report also noted no officers in riot gear — those closest to where tear gas was deployed — were wearing body cameras, as officers normally do. The report said CMPD told SBI agents that the cameras that are worn on normal officer uniforms could not be worn with riot gear. All officers are now required to wear body-cameras, Jennings said — otherwise, it constitutes a policy violation.

Still, several City Council members say they want the department to go further with reforms. A push for police reform in Charlotte was reignited after nearly a month of protests following Floyd’s death.

Vowing to “reimagine” the role of police officers, City Council earlier this summer embarked on its own sweeping review of CMPD policies — including de-escalation and use of force — that’s intended to incorporate feedback from local activists, law enforcement experts and Charlotte residents.

In September, the Safe Communities Committee will bring an initial round of recommendations to the full Council. The committee will then more broadly review CMPD’s budget.

Still, local activists have told the Observer they have mixed expectations on whether such actions will bring the type of change most needed.

Cedar Posts Take:

After five days of nonsense, CMPD Officers had reached the point where they had enough of the BLM Antifa Wactivists. In order to put an end to the looting, arson, vandalism, violence and overtime CMPD put into action a plan to end the protests. The chain of command from the top (Chief Putney and Charlotte City Manager Marcus Jones) to the boots on the street agreed to hit them and hit them hard.

Chief Putney would later tell Charlotte City Council it was all on him. 

George Floyd's death was tragic, yet just one in a long line of non-compliant felons who have died at the hands of police officers. But Floyd like Rashad Brooks and now Jacob Blake all have a common thread and it is not the color of their skin but their inability to not resist arrest.

Floyd we now know had a fatal level of fentanyl in his system. That combined with his COVID-19 diagnosis, heart condition and stress of his arrest either caused or greatly contributed to his death. This doesn't excuse the fact that officers failed to recognize the severity of his situation. 

Blake was also non-compliant and again resisted arrest. Blake was armed with a weapon and attempting to flee a felony warrant. Officers perhaps should have gone hands on sooner but most department's force continuum aka matrix prevent hands on for suspects who are only offering non-passive resistance. 

Unlike Kenosha, Atlanta, Portland ,Seattle and Minneapolis; Charlotte law enforcement decided not to let the looters loot and to restore order. And the plan worked.

The anarchists were told several times to disburse, they didn't.

Going forward perhaps CMPD's plan was too harsh, perhaps just a little too sexy. But it is now clearly time to ban roving meandering protest marches in Charlotte. These have not been "mostly peaceful" protests, these events have been low level and full on riots. The people in Charlotte's streets are not protestors they are anarchists. Their cause is neither noble or valid it is not about BLM it is only to create anarchy and to destroy civil society.

Continued tolerance of roving protest marches is unacceptable to the taxpayers and law abiding citizens of Charlotte, and while the right to free speech and peaceable assembly is undeniable the rights of the majority to enjoy a crime free society void of civil disturbance is paramount. 

49 comments:

Anonymous said...

Just when you thought morale couldn’t get any lower, ol brace face goes and shoves it up our asses even more! I’ll guess I’ll wait for some of my BWC’s to be reviewed and hopefully I’ll get a vacation from this place. I can’t wait to see what happens next! Maybe we should take more knees and be worthless pieces of shit on shifts, that seems to work.

Anonymous said...

At some point the cops at cmpd need to realize that that place doesnt care about you at all. why do you go in to a place that will put you on national news with only one side of the narrative? they side with the citizens everytime. tell me one time that cmpd backed an officer beside when brently vinsion shot the dude in Ucity?

Anonymous said...

nothing good ever comes when your chief sides with the mob. they can all kneel as far as i’m concerned and while they are down there they can kindly kiss my ass.

Anonymous said...

How bout this... let’s just fire all white officers and let CMPD be completely black. Black officers , supervisors etc. this way the next time there is a shooting the race element won’t be there and therefore no protests. Problem solved.

Anonymous said...

Cedar is right, even if command won't admit it, the protests were out of hand and the department was tired. The mayor wouldn't employ a curfew, the Governor wouldn't send in the National Guard and the pandering to the left wasn't working. Plus the point of the protests (Black Lives Matter) had long since evaporated as had the support of the African American Community. Yep the order came from the top hit them hard.

Recently hit them hard has been working. Amp'd up pepper spray from 1% to 3% seems to be working as well. However there's no control so like having your favorite bartender mix your drink if they like you they add a little more. If you need a little extra just ask for the Braxton Winston special a ratio 5% formula.

Anonymous said...

945,

They have been trying to make that happen since 2008. Half the reason the morale is so low.

Anonymous said...

I wonder if command realizes that they’re ruining this department in the name of “transparency”. Stop live tweeting during these riots, stop throwing your officers under the bus when they have “inappropriate” private conversations that we all have had, stop pandering to the mob. We can check off all their lists of demands and they will continue to find a reason to hate us. Focus on your troops and their grievances because we are all this city has separating the good from the evil. Continue to trample on your Officers and this place will turn out like Portland.

Anonymous said...

Good thing no one records our roll call. All they would hear is how much we could careless of the community. City of Charlotte you asked for this.

Anonymous said...

don’t give them any ideas 1:24. wouldn’t surprise me if they started recording roll call.

and i’m with u. fuk the community.

Anonymous said...

Y'all racist! This city is guilty of systemic racism BLACK LIVES MATTER NO JUSTICE NO PEACE!

From the top down you are trying to kill off the black folk!

Only trouble is the entire city is run by African Americans every top job in the city is occupied by a person of color.

The Mayor
The City Manager
The Chief of Police
The Fire Chief
The Mecklenburg County DA
The Mecklenburg County Sheriff
The CMS Superintendent
The CATS CEO
The City Attorney
The Director of Solid Waste Services
The Mecklenburg County Commission Chair
The Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Director

But racism is the problem?

So ask yourself why do most white CMPD cops actually live inside the county?


Anonymous said...

EW.. EW!! Pick me! Because those with any good common sense don't want our families exposed to the pile of trash that Charlotte has become. City leadership is getting exactly what they want. My family can safely go out just about anywhere in our community and dont have to worry about being confronted by a bunch of violent hood rats. There is no bus line here in SC. And most know that once you cross the state line and start any shit you won't be getting an ankle bracelet and a get out of jail free card...

Anonymous said...

You mean to tell me..that the entire city is run by black people and the city now has the highest crime rate behind Atlanta, the worst schools in the state, the streets are not safe, the average tenure of city employees is 3 years, and the city council goes to jail?

We have active LTs with sex videos and Majors covering up BJs. Yeah, I think I'm done around here. I might take that SC cop up on his offer to go south of Ballyntne.

Anonymous said...

Its just a J-O-B. Do not get yourself put in jail or sued for doing your job. Its not pretty enforcing the law. You joined for a good reason. But now your realizing that your bosses do not give a shit. Like combat, you only care about the ones next to you. The citizens do need the police, and like the police, but the leadership wont stand against the ones who do not. I was at CMPD for 26 years, 4 years military. It hurts my heart to see what you guys are going through.

Anonymous said...

Still waiting to see that sex tape.

Anonymous said...

Someone give us the details about that dirt bag convicted felon who took off on officers and when finally was apprehended the car the felon was driving was registered to.......wait for it......a current IA Sgt.....:o/

Anonymous said...

^^^. 8:31. No way that is true. Isn’t there a policy that says we’re not to consort with felons? Who was it????

Anonymous said...

Pretty sure that is a reference to Tamila Gibbs...

Anonymous said...

Does anyone else remember during the BWC training with Steve Willis and he said the cameras will never be used as a Gotcha?

Anonymous said...

GOTCHA!! If you are gullible enough to believe anything that CMPD Command Staff tells you then you must still believe in the Easter Bunny. The days of leaders who truly cared about their troops and would fight for them and with them are long gone. Those folks retired years ago prior to the Monroe fiasco. Our current leadership are self serving and only committed to doing whatever it takes to earn another promotion. If that means throwing some officers under the bus then so be it. I sure miss the ol school Capts that we use to have. You would even see them on the streets on all shifts occassionally jumping CFS. Those days are looong gone.

Anonymous said...

I am retired now and grateful for that because I hate to see what is going on in what was once known as a great department. I was around and remember when Willis was one of the types of leaders that you speak of. Sadly enough he along with many others turned to the dark side when Monroe rode into town to save Charlotte. Romo only surrounded himself with yes men who agreed with his views and a lot of the leadership at that time sold their souls for self gain. The others who would defy him were banished to the Duty Captains Office or some other shit job where they had no voice and no chance for promotion. I worked for one of those Capts who dared to defy Monroe and Medlock and spent his last couple of years on 3rd Shift to keep him isolated. What you have now are the devils spawn that everyone predicted then. Real leaders will eventually re-emerge but it will not happen soon. Then when you factor in the lack of support from the current city leadership then you are left with a really big shit show.

PATRICK said...

The white male is becoming an ENDANGERED SPECIES.

Anonymous said...

2 more suspensions and more to follow. Everyone keep your damn cameras off!

Anonymous said...

I'm with Cedar put an end to these roaming protests. Charlotte should have shut down the protests long ago and kicked jail support off curb as well.

Anonymous said...

I bet it if it was a black sgt, then nothing would have happened to him. He was just "joking around" if that was the case.

How many officers are we down? 500 and counting? Whatz the nextt academy class lookin like?

Anonymous said...

These protests are like letting your kids play at Michael Jackson’s house. Sure, you have the right to do that ... but anyone would tell you it’s not a good idea. Maybe wait for all the facts to come out before we cast judgement. Even the “shooting in the back” in Wisconsin, now they’re saying he was lunging for a knife.

Anonymous said...

I actually enjoy having Jennings as chief.

But suddenly I am not feeling so good I guess it is just the heat and humidity. Maybe I need a COVID test or just a few days bed rest? I hope I don't get sick next Friday. I hear there is something going around but three days and you feel pretty good. Anyone else hear about this?

Anonymous said...

I'm def out this weekend. Respect to all but I have two kids and one on the way next month. These crazies aren't going to be happy til one of more of us takes a bullet.

Anonymous said...

Now that you mention it, I'm feeling a case of the sniffles coming on myself. Gonna be a long HOT weekend!

Anonymous said...

Bout time^. At least I’m not the only one. More of us need to do this

Anonymous said...

5:35. I’m with you. Enough of the citizens get victimized and we can’t respond maybe the citizens will finally turn on this mob and put them in their place. I’m physically and mentally done. I’m out

Anonymous said...

Atlanta did it right and in 24 hours the Mayor was taking notice. Steel Creek, Metro or Hickory Grove shut it down those who can't afford the time off because of secondary we understand, do what you can. Keep moving sometimes its hard to hear the calls with the windows down. I'm tired of the BS. Need the extra but got to believe command is listening to the wrong voices and it won't take long for the real taxpayers to notice.

Anonymous said...

6:22. I’m with you baby. I ain’t coming in this weekend either. DC Estes and Koch gonna be riding together in Metro on 3rd

Anonymous said...

Cough... Cough....

Anonymous said...

Y’all a bunch of shit kickers, none of you jokers are calling out sick this weekend....

Now what’s this nonsense about a felon driving the car of an IA sgt....surely that wouldn’t be tolerated under the current COC....would it?

Anonymous said...

Already got my Dr's note so I'm good to go for at least a week. I told him I thought I had a bad case of the Blue Flu. He was very understanding. My Dr is a Republican.

Anonymous said...

To be totally honest I enjoyed the F*** out of watching those punks and thugs run and scream. Those pussies still crying about their wounds and to those fagots and hood rats saying it was like a war zone have no idea.

I'd do it again and take a 2 week active suspension no regrets!

Anonymous said...

10:03.. I doubt a second offense for the same thing would result in 80 hours active. You’re looking at unemployment honky ass
Love Cecil

Anonymous said...

A few items that I wanted to discuss with you all:

1. Does anyone actually respect this place anymore? Seriously, the chief is on the side of the protesters and not his own people.
2. Remember when those hoodrats were being kicked out of the Woodlawn Hotel and Gary McFadden offered them a free place to stay at the Meck County Jail? Its a fucking jail!
3. Both Sgts are absolutely finished at CMPD. Do you remember what they did to Crystal Eckhart? That SGT is a dead man walking and Cecil is the triggerman.

Anonymous said...

5:45. True but remember Crystal got freaking paid!!!! If Cecil wants to be charitable with the city’s (Tax Payers) money, so be it. Cecil needs to go back to getting sucked off on duty and leave the real cops alone

Anonymous said...

"remember what they did to Crystal Eschert"
yep.
City lied.
Broke Laws.
Violated her rights.
Jury found in her favor.......................................
After causing a hugely stressful, expensive and harmful disruption to her life.
Which she proved in Court.

Anonymous said...

I’m wondering if anyone recently on the ol’ chopping block sat at the IA table across from Cecil and been like, “yeah, I probably could’ve done that differently... by the way is there a policy on getting your dick sucked on duty?” I’d love to see his reaction. Just saying.

Anonymous said...

Ok, full disclosure here. I’m a former Democrat. Do yourself a favor and go to www.antifa.com and see what comes up. Now, I’m no Trump kool aid drinker but after seeing this I think he’s the lesser of the 2 evils. This surely isn’t the Democrat party I grew up with. SHM

Anonymous said...

^^^^^^WARNING^^^^^^^

That person is Cecil or Georgian. If you go to that website on the city network it will set off so many alarms and your user account will get pegged for going to terrorist websites. They can identify you.


I've heard a few of our people on here say they are stuck at CMPD? How do you get stuck? How are you able to do police work but you can't go work plumbing or drywall? It just sounds like a weak ass excuse that you have probably been saying your whole lives.

Anonymous said...

Kamala Harris during the primary: Joe Biden is a racist

Kamala Harris as VP Nominee: Joe Biden is the answer!!


What a two face!! I don’t mind liberal, progressive thinking. What I don’t like is a hypocrite two face.


Also, 10:06... obviously use your own device. Don’t use the city’s computer numbnuts.

Anonymous said...

i had hurd some stuff about the parks and rec department. they were ranked the worst in the state of nc do to trash cans, graffeti, robberies, homeless, and protistution. my friend quit that place to go work somewhere else outside of the county. they said there was a questionable promotion over at the parks and rec department office.

worst in the state is no laughing matter.

Anonymous said...

the great state of mecklenburg is worst in the state in a whole lotta areas but there’s one thing we finish first in every year......homicides. lock and load mfers. let’s break that record! ain’t no thug like a mecklenburg thug cause a mecklenburg thug gets EM. WOOT WOOT. HOLLA YALL.

Anonymous said...

1930 don’t forget about that unsecured bond too

Anonymous said...

1029 dont forget about the free expungments on saturday mornings too

Anonymous said...

Expungements, unsecured bond? I'm curious about my pledge fund money!