Donald Trump inauguration: Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police officers to provide security
At least 100 Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police officers will provide crowd control and perimeter security at Donald Trump’s inauguration as the nation’s 47th president Monday, CMPD officials said Saturday.
“This will be my fourth one,” Major J.D. Thomas of the CMPD Special Investigations Unit said in a video announcing the department’s inauguration plans.
A 27-year CMPD veteran, Thomas said it was “my honor to be one of the leaders going up with our detachment” of mobile field force units and bike patrol officers.
“Charlotte has had the privilege of being asked to go as long as we’ve had this mobile field force unit,” Thomas said. “It’s always a good time by the officers to go up and represent the city of Charlotte. The influx of people to celebrate the election process, it’s a great honor for us.”
Police Chief Johnny Jennings told the group of inauguration-bound officers that CMPD has built a solid reputation assisting other agencies at such events.
“Whenever we send groups and teams, and whether it’s bike officers” or others, “I’m always getting calls back from that chief or those organizations saying, ‘You guys are sharp. You guys know what you’re doing. You’re the best at it. We want you back,’” Jennings said.
Thomas cited the department’s experience at Democratic and Republican national conventions.
“We’ve got a good reputation with crowd control and being able to work large events with the public,” he said.
In July, CMPD officers provided security at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, just days after a failed assassination attempt on Trump.
More than 130 law enforcement agencies — including CMPD, Concord police, Greensboro police and Cary police — sent officers to help at the convention.
CMPD officers are sworn in by other agencies in charge of inauguration security, Thomas said.
“We’re able to be an asset and help those departments with the influx of people to the Capitol,” he said.