Charlotte Mayor Calls Alleged Racist Police Texts the Low Point of His Early Tenure

Charlotte Mayor Rob Harrington has named the discovery of alleged racist text messages exchanged among several Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officers as the lowest point of his time in office so far. Most of the officers involved have since resigned, and the department is working to rebuild public trust.

Harrington recently marked 100 days as mayor. He is serving out the remainder of the term of former Mayor Vi Lyles, who resigned this past summer. Asked to look back on that stretch, he singled out the episode involving the messages.

The mayor said the situation runs against the priority his administration places on public safety. In his view, safety is not only about stopping criminal behavior, which is the work of law enforcement and other first responders. It also depends on how those officers themselves conduct themselves. "It's really important that we are safe - it's also equally important that we feel safe," Harrington said.

Harrington said he was relieved that the people responsible for the texts make up only a small share of the department. He acknowledged he has not spent a great deal of time around many officers, but said he is convinced that the overwhelming majority do a fantastic job and work hard.

Looking ahead, the mayor said he will keep monitoring the situation and will work with Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Chief Estella Patterson as the department tries to restore the community's confidence. He argued that the city cannot afford to have people in law enforcement act or speak in ways that lead residents to question whether they are safe.

Harrington also said he understands how residents may be reacting to the news. Speaking as a parent, he described the discovery as shocking, saddening and angering, and said officials must take the steps needed to regain public confidence.