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, covering an area of with a population of 1,000,000+, it is the largest police department between Washington, D.C., and Atlanta, Georgia.
The CMPD is by statute "county police" in that it has jurisdiction anywhere in Mecklenburg County. The unique status of this situation makes the CMPD "metro" police.
The department is currently being led by Estella D. Patterson.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.
History The CMPD was formed in 1993 with the merger of the former Charlotte City Police Department and the Mecklenburg County Rural Police Department. 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.
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."Woman 'felt dismissed' after filing complaint against CMPD", by Fred Clasen-Kelly, Charlotteobserver.com, February 26, 2013
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.
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.
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.
Other groups contain bureaus, headed by majors. Each bureau is also organized into divisions, commanded by captains, and units, commanded by sergeants.
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.
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.
Breakdown of the makeup of the rank and file of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department:Law Enforcement Management and Administrative Statistics, 2000: Data for Individual State and Local Agencies with 100 or More Officers Break down of personal in the year 2025
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:
Chevrolet Caprice Dodge Charger Ford F-350 Ford Police Interceptor Sedan (Ford Taurus) Ford Police Interceptor Utility (Ford Explorer)
Rank structure TitleInsigniaInsignia (dress uniform cuff)PositionsChief of Police5 gold stripesThe Chief of Police is in charge of running the entire department.Deputy Chief4 gold stripesDeputy Chiefs are Group COsMajor3 gold stripesMajors are in charge of a Bureau or Service AreaCaptain2 gold stripesCaptains are in charge of a DivisionLieutenantGold stripeLieutenants are in charge of a Response AreaSergeantSergeants are in charge of a UnitDetectiveNo insigniaInvestigative roles, do not outrank OfficersPolice OfficerNo InsigniaHandles 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.Fascinating facts - see image
Former ranks TitleInsigniaInsignia (dress uniform cuff)Dates usedNotesAssistant Chief4 gold stripes2017–2020Created in 2017, in the role of assistant to the Chief of Police. Discontinued by 2020.Staff Sergeant (Response Area Commander)2008–2014Introduced 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) served as a stop-gap rank before the rank of lieutenant was officially approved as a replacement. 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,CMPD promotes officers and by 2013 all response area commanders had been regraded as lieutenants. However, the rank of staff sergeant was retained through 2014, when the remaining holders of the rank were promoted to lieutenant.2013 City of Charlotte salary database - Police "CMPD promotes 23 officers," 12 May 2014
Patrol areas +Field Services Patrol GroupPatrol DivisionsPatrol Northeast University City North Tryon Hickory GrovePatrol Northwest Freedom North MetroPatrol Southeast Central Providence Independence EastwayPatrol Southwest Westover Steele Creek South
References