CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A group of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police officers who were sent to Milwaukee for the Republican National Convention stirred up controversy over some of the gear they were wearing.
These officers were asked to assist with security at the RNC, as were law enforcement agencies from across the country. But they were seen wearing vests that have been at the center of a political tug-of-war in recent weeks.
CMPD posted several pictures taken in Milwaukee showing a group of bike officers patrolling around the RNC. The controversy over the outer carrier vests goes back to Chief Johnny Jennings saying not every officer should wear this equipment.
The Fraternal Order of Police for Mecklenburg County also posted this statement on their Facebook page questioning Jennings on why some groups are allowed to wear them while other officers cannot.
VERIFY asked CMPD why these officers were wearing the vests, especially after Jennings publicly spoke out against them. The department replied with a statement credited to Jennings that says these vests don't offer additional ballistic protection and raise officer safety concerns. He also said the "military-style appearance" goes against the community-oriented policing philosophy he's championed with CMPD.
So if CMPD's chief doesn't want these vests, why are the officers wearing them? In an email from CMPD, the department says certain tactical units within the force are issued outer carrier vests. This includes public order bike officers, who were sent to the RNC for security detail.
Jennings has said that while certain units are issued these vests, he doesn't support using outer carrier vests as standard-issue equipment for patrol officers.
Contact Meghan Bragg at mbragg@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.
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