CPI Security, criticized for CEO’s email on George Floyd protest, hires Kerr Putney
CPI Security, which came under fire for its CEO’s remarks about street protests over the death of George Floyd, has hired recently retired Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Chief Kerr Putney, the company said Tuesday.
Putney will join the Charlotte-based home-security company as a community and government relations consultant. He will work directly with company CEO Ken Gill, according to a CPI Security news release.
Jorge Millares, leader of the Queen City Unity organization, recently criticized Gill’s remarks to him as racist after Millares sent out a mass email calling for action in response to killings of black people such as George Floyd, who died while being pressed to the sidewalk by Minneapolis police.
“Please spend your time in a more productive way,” Gill told Millares in an email, which Millares then posted on Facebook. “A better use of time, would be to focus on the black on black crime and senseless killing of our young men by other young men.”
His remarks prompted the Carolina Panthers, Charlotte Hornets, Charlotte Knights and other teams to cut their ties with CPI Security.
Gill apologized at the time for his remarks
In Tuesday’s statement announcing Putney’s hiring, Gill said the former chief “will improve our approach to engagement, volunteerism, mentorship and investments that align with our organization’s core values and priorities. We feel Kerr is the perfect leader for this initiative.”
Putney said he’s “always been impressed with CPI’s commitment to the underserved in our community. I’m thrilled to have found a role in which I can continue to protect people and make a real difference to provide access and opportunities in all of the communities CPI serves.”
Putney retired July 1.
This story was originally published July 21, 2020 at 6:32 PM.