the Jasmine BRAND

More than half a dozen police officers in #Charlotte, North Carolina, have reportedly resigned or been recommended for termination after an investigation uncovered disturbing racist text messages exchanged among members of the department.

According to WBTV, sources claim officers with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (#CMPD) participated in a group chat that included a competition to see who could pull over the most Black drivers. The messages also allegedly contained repeated uses of the “n-word” in discussions involving the use of force and firing weapons at Black residents. The shocking discovery has since prompted an internal investigation, with several officers facing possible termination.
____________

The messages reportedly surfaced during an unrelated #NorthCarolina State Bureau of Investigation probe into former CMPD officer Seth Elliott, who is facing a criminal charge for allegedly misusing #Flock cameras to assist someone involved in a dr*g investigation. Investigators downloaded information from Elliott’s phone, eventually uncovering the racist conversations involving officers from multiple divisions. Those implicated were brought before an internal review board, which recommended that several be fired, although the final decision rests with Police Chief Estella Patterson.
____________

In a statement, CMPD declined to confirm or deny the specific allegations but insisted, “We will not tolerate any behavior that contradicts our core values or jeopardizes the trust we have built with the community we serve.” The department also emphasized its commitment to “excellence, accountability, and transparency” as the investigation continues.