CMPD chief open to traffic stop policy changes amid racist text scandal – Spectrum News

CMPD chief open to traffic stop policy changes amid racist text scandal  Spectrum News

CMPD Chief Estella Patterson say she is open to reviewing CMPD traffic stop policies following concerns of racial disparities. CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Chief Estella Patterson says she is open to reconsidering the department’s traffic stop policies following concerns about racial disparities and an investigation into racist text messages involving seven officers. In her first interview since publicly addressing the controversy, Patterson told Spectrum News 1 that six officers have resigned and one remains suspended. She said the department cannot legally release the text messages at this time. “Those individuals realize that there is no place at the police department for them,” Patterson said. The controversy has sparked outrage across Charlotte with community advocates calling for greater accountability and changes to how officers police the community.

The Second Chance Federation, a Charlotte nonprofit, recently sent a memorandum to Patterson urging CMPD to immediately suspend traffic stops for minor, nonmoving violations, including expired registration, broken taillights and window tint violations. The organization wants officers to prioritize violations that pose greater public safety risks, such as speeding, reckless driving and violent crimes. Kristie Puckett, with the Second Chance Federation, said the group is concerned that minor traffic violations can be used as a reason to stop Black drivers. “And so that gives them the leverage that they need to begin to