Why is CMPD chief threatening to sue Charlotte over former councilman?
Chief Johnny Jennings of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department is considering suing the city, and the City Council is considering “settling” with him even though no lawsuit has been filed, Charlotte Observer news partner WSOC reported.
In an exclusive story, WSOC’s Joe Bruno reported on Friday that the Charlotte City Council went into closed session on April 28 to discuss the situation, and voted on whether to “settle” the potential lawsuit.
But the closed session vote of 5-2 wasn’t enough for passage, which requires six votes of the 11-member council.
WFAE reported Monday that the council was considering giving Jennings up to $300,000 following text messages then-Councilman Tariq Bokhari sent him in 2024, when the council member was at odds with the chief over the type of bulletproof vests that should be issued to CMPD officers. That’s higher than Jennings’ annual salary.
WFAE published those text messages in November. In May, Bokhari told Jennings that “whatever happens from this point forward is not personal.”
“As long as you stick to that, we’re fine,” Jennings responded. “Just know that I don’t plan on sitting on my hands either.”
Bokhari criticized Jennings in an interview with WCNC about the vests a couple of weeks after in July. He also texted Jennings tell him he “made a terrible error in judgment, my friend. I hate what comes next.”
The former council member texted Jennings to tell him he planned on “hammering” Jennings in the press and political circles. And he said he would “not stop and it will cripple your legacy you’ve worked so hard for.”
Bokhari texted Jennings: “You have 36 hours to call it all off by compromising in some small way. Otherwise it’s in God’s hands.”
Jennings never responded, WFAE reported. In August, Bokhari and the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Fraternal Order of Police got their wish when CMPD announced some officers could request one of the outer carrier bulletproof vests.
Bokhari, a four-term Republican who represented District 6 in south Charlotte, resigned from his post in April to take a position in President Donald Trump’s administration. He is now an administrator at the Federal Transit Administration.
Mayor Vi Lyles had to bring up the settlement in closed session again Monday, WSOC reported, citing anonymous sources. It was not immediately clear if any action was taken.
“Sources familiar with the chief’s feelings say Jennings believes he was unfairly targeted and suffered reputational damage during a months-long debate over outer carrier vests,” WSOC reported.
Jennings on Monday declined a request for an interview with The Charlotte Observer.
This story was originally published May 5, 2025 at 2:12 PM.
