Off-duty CMPD officer arrested on child abuse charges in Iredell County, chief says
A Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officer was arrested on child abuse charges while off duty, Chief Johnny Jennings said in a statement Wednesday evening.
Officer Matthew Michael, 48, was charged with two counts of misdemeanor child abuse and placed on unpaid leave, the chief said.
Jail records said Michael was booked on Wednesday by the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office and released on bond. Jennings said the sheriff’s office would handle a criminal investigation into the allegations.
CMPD is “limited in the information we can release at this time,” Jennings said.
“However, I want to assure the community that we are committed to holding our officers accountable for their actions, both on and off duty,” he said.
Jeff A. Chamer
The Charlotte Observer