Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officer found guilty of breaking protective order
A judge in Iredell County found a Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officer guilty of breaking a domestic violence protective order when he made a phone call, according to court records.
When The Charlotte Observer asked whether Officer Matthew Michael still works at CMPD, the department told a reporter to file a public records request for his personnel record. That record says he is still suspended, and was suspended before in 2004, 2006, 2009 and 2023.
Law enforcement agencies are free to say whether an officer is still employed, has been fired or is suspended. Earlier this week, the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office announced that a deputy sheriff was fired after being charged with domestic violence.
Michael still faces child abuse and cyberstalking charges, and he has appealed District Court Judge Edward L. Hedrick IV’s decision on the protective order. Hedrick found Michael guilty at a bench trial Monday, according to the court filings.
Michael is scheduled for court on June 29 for the protective order case.
Ryan Oehrli covers criminal justice in the Charlotte region for The Charlotte Observer. His work is produced with financial support from the nonprofit The Just Trust. The Observer maintains full editorial control of its journalism.