Charlotte Shield The Blue

Why is it important to support this simple request?

The rank and file officers in CMPD have been pleading for years for the ability to wear outer carrier vests. These vests are much cooler than their current under shirt vest and allow for the officers to wear their equipment in a more erognomic manner. The belts they are forced to wear cause back pain and discomfort for them. The Chief of Police will not allow them to wear these because he does not like the militarized look of the vest.

With Officer morale being so low in CMPD right now, honoring this request of our CMPD rank and file patrol officers should be a no brainer.

Since the Chief of Police wouldn't do what is right during this budget process and accept the $500,000 my colleagues on the City Council voted UNANIMOUSLY to provide them in the 1st of 2 Budget Straw Votes,

I'm now asking the citizens and corporate partners of Charlotte to show their support and Shield the Blue in CMPD.

Why do the officers want outer carrier vests?

-These vests are much cooler than their current undershirt vests

-The belts they are currently forced to wear cause back pain and discomfort for them

-The vests allow for easier access to their equipment

-The vests allow for officer rescue in active shooter situations

-Other departments within CMPD are currently using the vests

Why is the Chief denying the vests?

The Chief of Police will not allow them to wear these because he does not like what he calls "the militarized look" of the vests.

How can we support and Shield the Blue?

1. Donate to this GoFundMe - the cost for the vests to outfit CMPD's rank and file is $500,000.

2. Sign the petition asking Chief Jennings to approve the use of outer carrier vests

https://www.change.org/p/approve-outer-carrier-vests-for-charlotte-mecklenburg-police-officers

3. Contact your Council person and ask for them to support this initiative

Find your Council person's contact information: http://apps.meckboe.org/addressSearch_New.aspx

How will these funds be handled?

Once the $500,000 is raised and the Chief agrees to allow for the vests, the funds will be released to CMPD to purchase them. You will receive a confirmation email that will show when the funds are released and who they were released to.

What happens if the Chief does not do what is right?

GoFundMe has a one-click option to send funds back to donors so they will be refunded.