CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — The long-awaited outer carrier vests for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police patrol officers are finally here.
Commanders will issue the new gear this week and offer training in their use and wear. The initial order came in Tuesday and includes more than 800 vests. They are optional, but there’s quite a bit of interest in wearing them.
“It’s unfortunate that we had to fight as hard for these as we did,” said Ofc. Daniel Redford, president of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Fraternal Order of Police. “Especially when these vests are standard issued. Most agencies in Mecklenburg County alone already have them, have had them for years.”
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The fight years in the making finally has a resolution. Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officers can now request and wear outer carrier vests.
“It’s good that you know they were able to get it and not have to jump through hoops like they were before and have to have a medical requirement in order to get it,” said Redford.
Previously, Police Chief Johnny Jennings expressed his opinions on them, saying they look too militarized. But City Councilman Tariq Bokhari and the Fraternal Order of Police fought to get access to the equipment.
“The vest allows officers in CMPD specifically to remove everything like the radio, their baton, their handcuffs and put that up on the vest,” said Redford. “It’s a larger area that is able to bear that weight so that it’s not all restricted to just one area.”
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Officers will still keep their guns, ammo and tasers on their utility belts. But the lighter load will reduce back, hip and other medical problems caused by wearing heavy equipment around your waist.
“I’m happy to hear that it’s finally coming to an end, that officers are going to get this piece of equipment that they’ve been asking for,” said Redford.
There will likely be more orders in the future as new officers start work at CMPD, or as those already employed decide they want to get one. All they have to do is fill out a form to express their interest. Redford said the city funded this first round of vests.
