Six officers have been cited for termination, while other officers have resigned, according to information reported about the department’s response. The texts reportedly include officers boasting about pulling over Black residents. The officers’ names and the full contents of the messages were not provided in the available details.

Mack said the department should report the officers to North Carolina’s Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Commission, which oversees law-enforcement standards, and improve how it screens prospective officers. She also called for closer attention to officers’ psychological and personal beliefs.

The scandal has renewed scrutiny of racial disparities in police traffic enforcement. Data CMPD reported to NC Cop Watch show that through May 31, 2026, Black drivers made up 56% of the department’s traffic stops, while Black people accounted for 83% of searches. Defense attorney Tim Emery called those disparities “horrible” and said he worries the text thread may point to broader problems.

Emery called for new department policies to identify and address racial bias, including scrutiny of officers’ social-media activity. He also raised concerns about tattoos that could indicate ties to white-supremacist groups.

CMPD was scheduled to hold its quarterly public-safety report Thursday morning, Oct. 15, with Patterson expected to attend. The meeting comes as community members press the department to explain what steps it will take to prevent racist conduct and ensure officers found responsible cannot simply move to another police force.