After week of criticism, CMPD changes how officers will order protesters to disperse
After a week of criticism over how officers deployed tear gas and other agents on uptown protesters, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Chief Kerr Putney announced changes late Tuesday to the way officers issue dispersal orders to crowds deemed “unlawful” by police.
Protesters said they were marching peacefully and never heard police order them to disperse at 4th and College Streets the night of June 2 before they said officers deployed tear gas, pepper balls and stun grenades, The Charlotte Observer previously reported. Police also blocked the protesters from escaping either end of the block, they said.
Police have refused to say what riot control agents they used that night.
Effectively immediately, Putney said in his statement, when police give a dispersal order, both the order and ways for the crowd to leave the area will be announced “loudly, clearly and repeatedly to the crowd.”
Police will not deploy “riot control agents” before giving the dispersal orders, “unless exigent circumstances exist,” according to the statement.
If a crowd gathers later at a different location, officers must give additional dispersal orders, Putney said.
Putney gave the example of an “unlawful crowd engaged in riotous behavior” that disperses to another area and begins “an unlawful but peaceful march.” Officers must give dispersal orders again to the regathered group of protesters, he said.
In a 9-2 vote Monday night, Charlotte City Council removed from next year’s budget money for police chemical agents like those used last week.
In its statement Tuesday, CMPD said the department “is a learning agency and will continue to ensure its policies, procedures, and tactics continue to be in-line with the high standards the department holds itself to.”
This is a developing story.
This story was originally published June 10, 2020 at 9:54 AM.