Local
Charlotte demonstrators press CMPD for records and reforms
Protesters marched from First Ward Park to police headquarters on Oct. 21, calling for the release of racist text messages involving seven officers and body-camera footage from the fatal shooting of Curtis Massey. Six officers have resigned, while the seventh remains suspended with pay as his case is reviewed.
CHARLOTTE — Demonstrators gathered at First Ward Park on Wednesday, Oct. 21, and marched to Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department headquarters, demanding greater transparency and systemic change after a racist text-message scandal involving seven officers and the fatal police shooting of Curtis Massey.
Protesters called for the public release of the messages and body-camera footage from the Sept. 18 shooting. Massey, 47, was killed at a gas station near Interstate 77 and LaSalle Street. CMPD has asked a judge to release footage from the encounter.
Six of the seven officers linked to the messages have resigned. The remaining officer is suspended with pay while a review board considers his case. Police Chief Estella Patterson has called for all seven officers to be fired and is seeking to revoke their law-enforcement certifications, which would prevent them from working at another department.
At least five groups took part in the demonstration. Organizers expected as many as 200 people to join the march and said the scandal reflects deeper problems with policing.
Organizer Otley said community members wanted concrete steps from department leaders. “Talk is cheap at this point,” Otley said. “I would like to see some action.”
CMPD released the officers’ names after community activists pressed for transparency. Protesters’ demands for the messages and shooting footage put the department’s handling of both matters under renewed public scrutiny.