Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department
Common nameCharlotte Police Department
AbbreviationCMPD
Agency overview
Formed1993
Preceding agencies
  • Charlotte Police
  • Mecklenburg County Police
Employees2,342 (2020)
Annual budget$290 million (2021)[1]
Jurisdictional structure
Operations jurisdictionCharlotte, North Carolina, United States
Governing bodyCharlotte City Council
General nature
Operational structure
Headquarters601 East Trade Street Charlotte, North Carolina
Sworn members1,982 (2020)[2]
Unsworn members475[2]
Agency executive
  • Estella Patterson, Chief of police
Units
List
  • Aviation
  • S.W.A.T.
  • K-9
  • Scuba Team
  • Bomb Squad
  • Highway Interdiction Traffic Safety
  • Cyber Crimes
  • Crime Scene Search
  • Auxiliary Police
  • Street Crimes
  • Bike Unit
  • Animal Control & Animal Care
Commands
List
  • Central
  • North Tryon
  • North
  • Eastway
  • Metro
  • Westover
  • Providence
  • University City
  • Steele Creek
  • South
  • Independence
  • Hickory Grove
  • Freedom
Facilities
Divisions13
Website
CMPD

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD) is the police department of Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, United States, which includes the City of Charlotte. With 1,633 officers and 525 civilian staff as of 2024[3], covering an area of 438 square miles (1,130 km2) with a population of 1,000,000+, it is the largest police department between Washington, D.C., and Atlanta, Georgia.[1][4]

The CMPD is by statute "county police" in that it has jurisdiction anywhere in Mecklenburg County.[5] The unique status of this situation makes the CMPD "metro" police.[6]

The department is currently being led by Estella D. Patterson[7].Patterson is the first female police chief in Charlotte’s history. she has more than 25 years in law enforcement. Before serving as chief of the Raleigh Police Department, she served in the U.S Army from 1996-2005, she served combat tours in Kosovo and Iraq and reaching the rank of captain. [8]

History

The CMPD was formed in 1993 with the merger of the former Charlotte City Police Department and the Mecklenburg County Rural Police Department.[9] Mecklenburg and neighboring Gaston County were the two counties out of the state's 100 counties to have county police in addition to the sheriff's offices. County police perform law enforcement tasks in the county with police powers anywhere in the county just like the sheriff, but the sheriff primarily handled the courts and jails. The North Carolina General Assembly approved legislation combining the two agencies.[10]

In 2013, press reports indicated that the Citizens Review Board had ruled against citizens complaining of police misconduct in every case brought before the panel in its fourteen-year history.[11]

Salary

The CMPD starting salary for officers is about $59,502 per year before incentives. Officers with a college degree automatically earn more at the start of their careers. New hires may potential receive up to $7,500 as a signing bonus.[12]

Officers may also increase their salaries over time by having military experience, working overtime, and special skill incentives. With experience and added incentives some officers can make over $100,000.[13]

Organization

The CMPD is organized into the Office of the Chief of Police, who is assisted by five deputy chiefs.

Patrol services fall under the Field Services Group, headed by a deputy chief. The Field Services Group is divided into three service areas, each headed by a major. Each service area comprises four to five patrol divisions, each headed by a captain. Each patrol division consists of two response areas, each headed by a lieutenant.[14]

Other groups contain bureaus, headed by majors. Each bureau is also organized into divisions, commanded by captains, and units, commanded by sergeants.[14]

CMPD is home to over 30 specialized units. With our SWAT team, Lake Enforcement, Aviation Unit, Bomb Unit, K9 Unit and more, there are plenty of unique opportunities within the department.[15]

Personnel

As of 2020, the department consisted of 475 unsworn and 1,982 sworn personnel, including one chief of police, five deputy chiefs, 14 majors, 35 captains, 45 lieutenants, 157 sergeants, and 1,725 detectives and officers.[2]

Breakdown of the makeup of the rank and file of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department:[16] Break down of personal in the year 2025[17]

  • Male: 86%
  • Female: 14%
  • White: 68%
  • Black: 19%
  • Hispanic: 8%
  • Asian: 5%

Equipment

Weapons

CMPD officers are issued the Glock 17. Qualified officers may also be equipped with a shotgun and/or patrol rifle (AR-15 style).

Additionally, officers' standard patrol equipment typically consists of Electroshock weapon (commonly referred to as tasers or stun guns), oleoresin capsicum (OC) spray, and a baton. These less-lethal tools are provided to help officers ensure their safety and public safety.

Vehicles

The department utilizes a variety of vehicles, including but not limited to:

Rank structure

Title Insignia Insignia (dress uniform cuff) Positions
Chief of Police 5 gold stripes The Chief of Police is in charge of running the entire department.
Deputy Chief 4 gold stripes The Deputy Chief is Group CO
Major 3 gold stripes Majors are in charge of a Bureau or Service Area
Captain 2 gold stripes Captains are in charge of a Division
Lieutenant Gold stripe Lieutenants are in charge of a Response Area[18]
Sergeant Sergeants are in charge of a Unit
Detective No insignia Investigative roles, do not outrank Officers
Police Officer No Insignia Handles patrol, responds to calls, and enforces laws.

The insignia of the Chief of Police was two gold stars until 2014, when Chief Rodney D. Monroe upgraded it to four stars.[19]

Former ranks
Title Insignia Insignia (dress uniform cuff) Dates used Notes
Assistant Chief 4 gold stripes 2017–2020 Created in 2017, in the role of assistant to the Chief of Police.[20] Discontinued by 2020.[21]
Staff Sergeant (Response Area Commander) 2008–2014 Introduced in 2008, response area commanders oversaw response areas within a district, and held the rank of staff sergeant. The rank of response area commander (staff sergeant)[22] served as a stop-gap rank before the rank of lieutenant was officially approved as a replacement.[6] The rank of lieutenant, used by the Charlotte Police Department until the 1990s, was reintroduced in 2011 for response area commanders; 26 sergeants were promoted to lieutenant in January 2012,[23] and by 2013 all response area commanders had been regraded as lieutenants.[24][25] However, the rank of staff sergeant was retained through 2014, when the remaining holders of the rank were promoted to lieutenant.[26][27]

Patrol areas

Field Services Patrol Group Patrol Divisions
Patrol Northeast
  • University City
  • North Tryon
  • Hickory Grove
Patrol Northwest
  • Freedom
  • North
  • Metro
Patrol Southeast
  • Central
  • Providence
  • Independence
  • Eastway
Patrol Southwest
  • Westover
  • Steele Creek
  • South

References

  1. ^ a b Sullivan, Carl; Baranauckas, Carla (June 26, 2020). "Here's how much money goes to police departments in largest cities across the U.S." USA Today. Archived from the original on July 14, 2020.
  2. ^ a b c "CMPD 2020 Integrated Annual Report". CMPD. City of Charlotte. 2021. Retrieved October 16, 2021.
  3. ^ Chamer, Jeff (November 4, 2024). "CMPD has 300 officer vacancies. Here's what the NAACP and FOP have to say. By Jeff A. Chamer". Charlotte Observer. Retrieved February 18, 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  4. ^ "Our Organization - Home". Retrieved June 29, 2019.
  5. ^ "Our Response Areas". Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department. Retrieved June 4, 2017.
  6. ^ a b "CMPD End of Year Report: Violent, Property and Overall Crime Decrease". www.charlottenc.gov. Retrieved February 26, 2026.
  7. ^ "Estella Patterson Named Police Chief for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police". www.charlottenc.gov. Retrieved February 18, 2026.
  8. ^ Charlotte, Jordan Kudisch. "Patterson becomes first woman to lead Charlotte-Mecklenburg police". spectrumlocalnews.com. Retrieved February 18, 2026.
  9. ^ WFAE (March 23, 2010). "Charlotte and Mecklenburg County Police History". WFAE 90.7 - Charlotte's NPR News Source. Retrieved February 27, 2026.
  10. ^ "CMPD Celebrates 30-Years of Combined Excellence". www.charlottenc.gov. Retrieved February 27, 2026.
  11. ^ "Woman 'felt dismissed' after filing complaint against CMPD", by Fred Clasen-Kelly, Charlotteobserver.com, February 26, 2013
  12. ^ "City of Charlotte Increases Officer Pay for FY26 – CMPD Recruitment". Retrieved February 28, 2026.
  13. ^ "Salary & Benefits – CMPD Recruitment". Retrieved February 28, 2026.
  14. ^ a b "CMPD: Our Response Areas". CMPD. City of Charlotte. Retrieved October 16, 2021.
  15. ^ "Charlotte-Mecklenburg - CMPD is home to over 30 specialized units. With our SWAT team, Lake Enforcement, Aviation Unit, Bomb Unit, K9 Unit and more, there are plenty of unique opportunities within the department. With all of the specialized units available within a department the size of CMPD, you have chances for growth and the opportunities to advance your career for 30 years and beyond. If you're interested in learning more about our specialized units or a career within CMPD, go to: www.JoinCMPD.com #JoinCMPD #CharlottePoliceJobs | Facebook". www.facebook.com. Retrieved February 27, 2026.
  16. ^ Law Enforcement Management and Administrative Statistics, 2000: Data for Individual State and Local Agencies with 100 or More Officers Archived September 27, 2006, at the Wayback Machine
  17. ^ "CMPD Employee Demographics". data.charlottenc.gov. Retrieved February 26, 2026.
  18. ^ "Metro Division". Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department. Retrieved July 17, 2015.
  19. ^ Fascinating facts - see image
  20. ^ "CMPD Promotes New Assistant Chiefs". WCCB Charlotte. July 14, 2017. Retrieved June 29, 2018.
  21. ^ "Our Organization: Office of the Chief". CMPD. City of Charlotte. Retrieved October 16, 2021.
  22. ^ "Charlotte Observer, 8 March 2013".{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  23. ^ CMPD promotes officers Archived March 6, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
  24. ^ "Providence Division". Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department. Retrieved July 17, 2015.
  25. ^ "Charlotte-Mecklenburg NC FOP Lodge #9". www.ncfoplodge9.com. Archived from the original on May 15, 2014.
  26. ^ 2013 City of Charlotte salary database - Police Archived May 14, 2014, at the Wayback Machine
  27. ^ "CMPD promotes 23 officers," 12 May 2014
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