CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — A Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police officer was charged with child abuse, Chief Johnny Jennings said Wednesday.
The charges come out of Iredell County, where Officer Matthew Michael was arrested on two counts of misdemeanor child abuse allegedly involving a juvenile member of his family while off-duty. Jennings says he was placed on administrative leave without pay pending an internal investigation.
“CMPD takes all allegations of misconduct seriously, particularly those involving the safety and well-being of children,” Jennings wrote.
Michael, 48, is out on bond, Iredell County records show.
Jennings said CMPD’s Internal Affairs Bureau has launched an investigation into this matter and the department will cooperate fully with the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office.
“I want to assure the community that we are committed to holding our officers accountable for their actions, both on and off duty,” Jennings said.
