[4:26:47] us in the morning

[4:26:50] the go ahead to get started.

[4:26:50] >> how's everybody doing

[4:26:52] tonight?

[4:26:56] Listen, it's a friday night.

[4:26:57] We got the weekend right in

[4:26:57] front of us.

[4:26:59] We're celebrating tonight.

[4:27:01] >> how's everybody doing?

[4:27:04] I'm loving.

[4:27:04] My name is alex giles.

[4:27:07] I'm an anchor over at wbz-tv

[4:27:07] here in charlotte.

[4:27:10] I've had the honor of serving

[4:27:10] as the emcee for this event for

[4:27:14] several years now and is

[4:27:14] honestly one of my favorite

[4:27:15] events to be a part of.

[4:27:18] This is such a cool experience

[4:27:20] to see the men and women who

[4:27:21] serve our community get honored

[4:27:23] in front of their loved ones,

[4:27:26] their peers and some of the

[4:27:26] elected leaders here in our

[4:27:27] community.

[4:27:30] I know we have ten winners

[4:27:32] tonight but I also just want to

[4:27:33] acknowledge all of the law

[4:27:33] enforcement in the room.

[4:27:36] Can we have a round of applause

[4:27:37] for all of our our officers

[4:27:43] this evening?

[4:27:45] >> and I know these folks are

[4:27:46] getting up whether it's in the

[4:27:47] morning, the middle of the day

[4:27:49] or the evening to protect and

[4:27:52] serve and our folks who are at

[4:27:53] home holding down the homefront

[4:27:55] in some cases with kids or

[4:27:57] family members or elders.

[4:27:58] Can we also do a round of

[4:28:00] applause for the folks who are

[4:28:03] staying at home, the family

[4:28:07] members?

[4:28:11] >> it's a team effort right?

[4:28:13] It's awesome when you guys are

[4:28:16] acknowledged by your peers or

[4:28:16] your bosses.

[4:28:17] But I think what makes this

[4:28:19] event special is that you're

[4:28:20] literally acknowledged by the

[4:28:22] community.

[4:28:22] I know as a news reporter it's

[4:28:25] nice to get that good job from

[4:28:26] your boss.

[4:28:26] That was a good story.

[4:28:28] You did a good job with that.

[4:28:29] But it almost means a little

[4:28:31] bit more when somebody reaches

[4:28:31] out and was like thank you for

[4:28:33] doing that story.

[4:28:34] The folks in my community

[4:28:36] appreciated that story and I

[4:28:37] know you guys can relate to

[4:28:39] that because this is what that

[4:28:40] is for you guys.

[4:28:42] Somebody from the community

[4:28:42] saying thank you for what you

[4:28:45] do in my neighborhood.

[4:28:46] Thank you for the initiative

[4:28:48] you started in my community.

[4:28:49] So it's really, really cool to

[4:28:51] be here and it's awesome that

[4:28:52] you guys are being honored

[4:28:53] tonight.

[4:28:54] At this time we'd like to start

[4:28:56] with an invocation from

[4:29:07] reverend sandra graber.

[4:29:09] >> thank you.

[4:29:12] If you're just back with me for

[4:29:18] a minute, the dignity, the

[4:29:23] understanding and the peace

[4:29:26] reminds us of our mutual

[4:29:29] respect and unity.

[4:29:32] It makes us safer and stronger

[4:29:32] throughout the generation.

[4:29:36] The cross to remove the desire

[4:29:38] to quit when it becomes

[4:29:38] difficult.

[4:29:41] Precious we are the strength

[4:29:43] and like becomes difficult.

[4:29:46] But these wonderful people are

[4:29:50] allowed to go on in GOD we're

[4:29:52] so grateful they are not

[4:29:53] defeated.

[4:29:55] The scourge I hope this they

[4:29:58] remain in my they do not

[4:29:58] shrink.

[4:30:01] They do not back up.

[4:30:04] And we are so grateful for

[4:30:04] their continue to strengthen

[4:30:07] them, continue to endure them,

[4:30:10] continue to move their faith.

[4:30:10] Faithfulness is developed when

[4:30:13] we continue to obey everything

[4:30:15] when the pressure is heavy and

[4:30:16] they go through pressure but

[4:30:18] GOD they know is only

[4:30:19] temporary.

[4:30:21] It's only discouragement is

[4:30:23] never permanent.

[4:30:24] The harvest year belongs to

[4:30:26] those who refuse to give quit

[4:30:29] when we're tempted to quit.

[4:30:30] Instead of continuing we're

[4:30:32] carry the cross across the

[4:30:34] finish line.

[4:30:35] In his name we pray.

[4:30:43] Amy thank you, reverend.

[4:30:43] >> at this time we want to

[4:30:46] acknowledge some of the elected

[4:30:47] leaders we have here whether

[4:30:49] it's the city of charlotte,

[4:30:50] mecklenburg county commission,

[4:30:52] some other elected office.

[4:30:53] If you're an elected leader,

[4:31:02] please stand for just a moment

[4:31:02] .

[4:31:05] Vitiate them coming out.

[4:31:05] I know it's a fun time of year

[4:31:08] budget season right?

[4:31:11] >> they're like oh yeah, okay.

[4:31:14] >> we have a few people

[4:31:14] delivering opening remarks

[4:31:16] tonight including sam smith

[4:31:17] junior who's the chair of the

[4:31:26] community relations committee.

[4:31:30] >> good evening everyone.

[4:31:30] If you enjoy the food, let's

[4:31:32] tell the chef you did your

[4:31:33] thing.

[4:31:37] >> I well, good evening.

[4:31:40] My name is sam smith JR.

[4:31:43] And welcome to the 46th annual

[4:31:45] community relations award.

[4:31:48] I'm honored to serve as the

[4:31:48] chair of the

[4:31:50] charlotte-mecklenburg community

[4:31:50] relations committee.

[4:31:53] And I would be remiss if i

[4:31:53] don't honor my vice chair, MR.

[4:31:56] Emmanuel maggard, who is in

[4:31:58] here with us today because

[4:31:59] tomorrow he he'll be walking

[4:32:00] across the stage getting his

[4:32:01] doctorate degree.

[4:32:07] >> so solomon, it's a privilege

[4:32:07] to gather here with you all

[4:32:10] tonight for such a meaningful

[4:32:10] celebration this evening

[4:32:13] recognizes people who through

[4:32:15] their actions show us what

[4:32:16] partnerships truly look like.

[4:32:19] >> tonight we recognize

[4:32:19] officers who go above and

[4:32:22] beyond the call of duty to

[4:32:24] build bridges for problems

[4:32:28] alongside residents and serve

[4:32:28] with heart and purpose.

[4:32:30] The nominations submitted from

[4:32:33] across our community are a

[4:32:34] powerful reflection of how

[4:32:36] deeply this work is felt and

[4:32:38] appreciated.

[4:32:39] These awards are a reminder

[4:32:42] that public safety is not built

[4:32:43] by one group alone is built

[4:32:46] through relationships,

[4:32:49] listening, collaboration and a

[4:32:50] shared commitment to the

[4:32:52] well-being of our neighbors.

[4:32:53] I want to extend gratitude to

[4:32:55] the charlotte mecklenburg

[4:32:56] community relations committee.

[4:32:58] And at this time I ask if my

[4:33:01] crt members that are in this

[4:33:02] space with us today if you

[4:33:02] could please stand and be

[4:33:14] recognized.

[4:33:15] >> I also at this time would

[4:33:17] like to ask the planning

[4:33:19] committee for today's festivity

[4:33:20] if you all could please stand

[4:33:30] and be recognized.

[4:33:30] >> it's more than just MISS

[4:33:30] Delores.

[4:33:33] I MISS Debbie.

[4:33:35] Oh.

[4:33:36] I want to thank the planning

[4:33:38] committee who was led by my

[4:33:41] second mom, MISS Delores.

[4:33:42] And when she call I have to

[4:33:43] answer my phone no matter what

[4:33:43] I'm doing.

[4:33:44] I want to thank them for their

[4:33:46] commitment each year to

[4:33:47] ensuring that this event is a

[4:33:49] success and throughout

[4:33:49] dedicated community relations

[4:33:50] staff.

[4:33:52] If you all are in the room if

[4:33:53] y'all could please stand.

[4:33:55] I know you'll be recognized

[4:33:56] gambo if you all could please

[4:34:02] stand and be recognized to we

[4:34:06] thank you all and we'll also

[4:34:09] thank every everyone who took

[4:34:09] time to nominate each of our

[4:34:11] officers and to the

[4:34:12] charlotte-mecklenburg police

[4:34:12] department.

[4:34:14] Thank you for your service,

[4:34:15] your sacrifice and your

[4:34:17] continued commitment to

[4:34:18] protecting and serving our

[4:34:20] community with professionalism

[4:34:22] and care to all.

[4:34:23] It's a nice nominees.

[4:34:25] Congratulations.

[4:34:26] Your work matters and does not

[4:34:28] go unnoticed.

[4:34:29] So tonight let's celebrate the

[4:34:31] birth of your partnership looks

[4:34:31] like in action.

[4:34:36] >> thank you.

[4:34:39] Thank you, sam.

[4:34:42] >> sam, did you did you train

[4:34:43] your daughter to record the

[4:34:45] whole thing like that?

[4:34:46] I'm going to look for that on

[4:34:47] facebook later.

[4:34:50] >> we'd like to call up james

[4:34:51] smudgy mitchell the charlotte

[4:34:51] city council.

[4:34:53] He's currently our mayor pro

[4:34:58] tem.

[4:35:01] >> good evening, charlotte.

[4:35:01] >> oh, wait a minute.

[4:35:02] Wait a fourth.

[4:35:04] These largest city in america

[4:35:05] and that's how y'all will

[4:35:05] respond.

[4:35:07] Good evening, charlotte.

[4:35:09] >> okay, that's a little

[4:35:09] better.

[4:35:10] Before I get started with my

[4:35:12] remarks.

[4:35:16] The theme is a team c mpd has a

[4:35:16] team in the city council has a

[4:35:17] team.

[4:35:19] And I would like to introduce

[4:35:20] one of my team members who is

[4:35:22] here to see the council member

[4:35:24] lawanda mayfield.

[4:35:24] Please stand again.

[4:35:25] You know I was going to call

[4:35:27] you out.

[4:35:27] Thank you.

[4:35:32] The one and then I know we have

[4:35:34] a former elected official who

[4:35:36] used to serve in district two

[4:35:37] and I always want to pay

[4:35:37] respect.

[4:35:39] Anybody who offered themselves

[4:35:40] up for public service well, MR.

[4:35:42] Al also please stand and be

[4:35:50] recognized on behalf of the

[4:35:50] charlotte city council and the

[4:35:52] mayors office.

[4:35:55] I'm honored to join you for

[4:35:58] this special night to recognize

[4:35:58] individual who represent the

[4:36:01] very best in our city.

[4:36:04] >> charlotte is now the 14th

[4:36:05] largest city in the country and

[4:36:09] we continue to grow, evolve

[4:36:10] every day with that growth

[4:36:13] comes both opportunity and

[4:36:15] responsibility the

[4:36:17] responsibility to ensure that

[4:36:18] our city remains not just

[4:36:22] bigger better but repeat to me

[4:36:27] better a truly world class city

[4:36:27] is defined not only by is

[4:36:32] skyline or economic strength

[4:36:35] but by trust, safety and

[4:36:38] connection.

[4:36:39] >> it's shared between us

[4:36:39] people.

[4:36:41] So that's why we're here

[4:36:41] tonight.

[4:36:44] We are here to recognize those

[4:36:47] who go beyond the call of duty

[4:36:48] to build relationships, foster

[4:36:50] understanding and strengthening

[4:36:51] the bond between law

[4:36:53] enforcement and the

[4:36:55] neighborhoods they serve.

[4:36:56] >> public safety is at its

[4:36:59] strongest when it's rooted in

[4:37:02] partnership and those who we

[4:37:05] honor tonight embody that

[4:37:05] principle through they service

[4:37:06] their compassion.

[4:37:08] I'm sorry compassion and

[4:37:10] commitment to charlotte.

[4:37:11] >> please join me in

[4:37:14] recognizing these outstanding

[4:37:16] honorees your dedication helps

[4:37:17] move charlotte forward and

[4:37:20] bring us closer to the kansas

[4:37:20] city.

[4:37:23] We want to call home.

[4:37:26] >> thank you and enjoy this

[4:37:26] evening.

[4:37:29] >> so I want to do a special

[4:37:31] shut out so with all the cma

[4:37:32] officers copd officers please

[4:37:34] stand up at this time.

[4:37:36] All officers here, all please

[4:37:37] stand up.

[4:37:39] That's right.

[4:37:40] Let's show some love.

[4:37:42] Let's show some love.

[4:37:52] Charlotte thank you.

[4:37:52] Thank you.

[4:37:55] Mayor pro tem mitchell we also

[4:37:58] have a representative from the

[4:37:58] county elaine power of the

[4:38:00] mecklenburg board of county

[4:38:13] commissioners.

[4:38:15] Thank you.

[4:38:16] >> so all these extroverts are

[4:38:19] coming up here but I am the

[4:38:21] introvert and I want to tell

[4:38:23] alex giles he was the first

[4:38:24] reporter that I ever had to do

[4:38:26] an interview with and I will

[4:38:26] never forget it.

[4:38:29] How kind he was.

[4:38:31] so thank you for that.

[4:38:34] Good evening.

[4:38:34] I am mecklenburg county

[4:38:36] commissioner elaine powell.

[4:38:37] I represent huntersville

[4:38:39] davidson, cornelius north

[4:38:42] charlotte the area mountain

[4:38:45] highland lake lake norman and

[4:38:45] part of the catawba river.

[4:38:48] So I've had lots of different

[4:38:51] interactions with mpd on behalf

[4:38:54] of my constituents especially

[4:38:56] an e t j.

[4:38:59] >> I have lived and worked in

[4:39:02] every county district in the

[4:39:03] county but I have the most

[4:39:05] experience with north division

[4:39:06] and freedom division.

[4:39:08] And I'm proud to know that one

[4:39:11] of our north division police

[4:39:12] officers is nominated officer

[4:39:14] blake is here nominated.

[4:39:22] I hope he wins.

[4:39:25] CHAIRMAN Jarell asked me to

[4:39:25] give remarks and when he called

[4:39:28] me I was so happy.

[4:39:28] I said there's so many times

[4:39:31] where I've been sitting in the

[4:39:31] audience where I want to talk

[4:39:33] to law enforcement too.

[4:39:33] Thank you.

[4:39:36] So I bring greetings from the

[4:39:38] county commission and gratitude

[4:39:39] it's and it's wonderful to be

[4:39:41] here but I want to talk I'm

[4:39:44] going to go way off script

[4:39:45] because these are the things

[4:39:47] that I wanted to tell you for a

[4:39:47] long time.

[4:39:52] So in the summer of 1993, john

[4:39:54] burnett and andy nobles were

[4:39:57] coming up and down the street.

[4:39:58] They were community police

[4:39:58] officers coming up and down my

[4:39:59] street.

[4:40:00] I lived in office central

[4:40:03] avenue at that time in 1993.

[4:40:05] John grew up across the street

[4:40:08] and his baseball coach jimmy

[4:40:09] edwards from gehringer high

[4:40:11] school was my neighbor on the

[4:40:14] other side so I could see into

[4:40:14] the dining room of the

[4:40:17] burnett's and I had jimmy next

[4:40:21] door and the reason that john

[4:40:22] burnett and nancy nobles were

[4:40:23] coming up and down the street

[4:40:25] that day was not for family.

[4:40:27] It was for community.

[4:40:28] They were coming to get some

[4:40:30] old air conditioning units to

[4:40:30] take to people that didn't have

[4:40:33] air conditioning and then there

[4:40:33] were children running up to the

[4:40:36] police car that wanted to talk

[4:40:37] to them and ask them what it

[4:40:39] was like.

[4:40:39] And I just remember the beauty

[4:40:44] of that the beauty of community

[4:40:44] police officers.

[4:40:49] That was the summer of 1993 on

[4:40:52] OCTOBER 5th I was standing and

[4:40:55] in my yard when police officers

[4:40:57] came to meet with his mother

[4:41:00] and we knew something bad had

[4:41:01] happened and for hours we

[4:41:04] waited for tricia northcott to

[4:41:06] show up.

[4:41:09] I just knew it was bad and I

[4:41:09] knew that the police officers

[4:41:11] that were there and maybe some

[4:41:14] of you here were there in our

[4:41:15] house trying to comfort you and

[4:41:17] without knowing what happened

[4:41:19] we just knew it was bad.

[4:41:20] And I remember like the grief

[4:41:22] the grief of the family, the

[4:41:26] grief that we felt the grief of

[4:41:26] his baseball coach from

[4:41:29] geringer high school it was

[4:41:34] there every day and I would say

[4:41:36] to tricia like what can I do?

[4:41:37] You know, what can I do?

[4:41:40] And she said never to go

[4:41:42] anywhere without thanking a

[4:41:43] police officer.

[4:41:45] And so I have done that.

[4:41:48] I want to thank you all like I

[4:41:51] want you to feel it how

[4:41:51] important your work is, how

[4:41:54] noble the profession is, how

[4:41:54] important it is to the

[4:41:56] community.

[4:42:00] >> and then the other story is

[4:42:00] this year probably many of you

[4:42:03] were there where we had a

[4:42:05] regional simulated training

[4:42:08] exercise at carolyn's.

[4:42:09] I wanted to come to that

[4:42:11] emergency management is a

[4:42:12] passion of mine and when I was

[4:42:14] watching from afar and it was

[4:42:18] it was simulated so whoever was

[4:42:20] there didn't have real weapons

[4:42:20] .

[4:42:24] But the first responders of all

[4:42:26] the first responders in a

[4:42:31] regional exercise was the mpd.

[4:42:32] It gives me goose bumps now it

[4:42:34] gave me goosebumps then I

[4:42:35] needed some tissues.

[4:42:37] I was standing next to former

[4:42:39] chief putney.

[4:42:40] It's breathtaking like to think

[4:42:42] about what if this was real?

[4:42:45] But in these instances where it

[4:42:48] is real I love you guys like I

[4:42:48] love that you're running toward

[4:42:53] protecting us and so I don't I

[4:42:54] could talk for such a long time

[4:42:57] but I hope you feel it.

[4:42:59] It is such an important noble

[4:43:00] profession.

[4:43:03] Thank you for what you do.

[4:43:03] Sorry.

[4:43:05] I'm kind of sorry but not sorry

[4:43:08] for going off script because I

[4:43:08] really want you to know and

[4:43:11] feel my gratitude to every

[4:43:16] person that wears the uniform

[4:43:19] to every nominee and awardee on

[4:43:19] behalf of mecklenburg county, I

[4:43:22] want to congratulate you for

[4:43:25] all your work you all represent

[4:43:26] the best of our community and I

[4:43:28] want to encourage you to take

[4:43:30] care of yourself.

[4:43:33] You will experience layers of

[4:43:34] crisis and think that you can

[4:43:34] handle it.

[4:43:36] it's a lot.

[4:43:37] And then there would be one

[4:43:39] layer where it's too much so

[4:43:42] however it is that you take

[4:43:42] care of yourself whether it's

[4:43:45] walking through nature or

[4:43:45] talking to a friend please or

[4:43:48] calling your county

[4:43:48] commissioner like I will listen

[4:43:51] I will walk with you whatever

[4:43:53] it is please take care of

[4:43:55] yourself.

[4:43:56] Thank you to the community

[4:43:58] relations board.

[4:44:02] Thank you, chief patterson and

[4:44:03] thank you to all the staff.

[4:44:06] Thank you to the 911

[4:44:06] dispatchers.

[4:44:06] Just thank you to everyone.

[4:44:08] Thank you for committing

[4:44:10] yourselves to this noble work.

[4:44:11] I feel the love of humanity for

[4:44:11] you.

[4:44:19] Thank you.

[4:44:19] >> thank you.

[4:44:22] Thank you, commissioner powell

[4:44:22] .

[4:44:23] >> at this time we want to talk

[4:44:26] about the history of this award

[4:44:28] ceremony and its significance.

[4:44:29] I like to bring up delores reed

[4:44:29] smith.

[4:44:31] She is the chair of the police

[4:44:33] community relations awards

[4:44:40] planning committee.

[4:44:45] Thank you all.

[4:44:45] Good evening again and thank

[4:44:48] you all for being here to

[4:44:50] celebrate the incredible work

[4:44:51] of our law enforcement officers

[4:44:54] and the relationship they've

[4:44:57] built across the community.

[4:44:59] In 1979 the charlotte

[4:45:02] mecklenburg community relations

[4:45:04] committee created this program

[4:45:07] to spotlight officers who go

[4:45:10] above and beyond to foster

[4:45:13] understanding and unity while

[4:45:15] ensuring our safety.

[4:45:16] >> the stories that we hear

[4:45:19] when we interview these

[4:45:21] officers is not the things you

[4:45:25] see on tv where cpd is

[4:45:25] concerned.

[4:45:27] >> the noble things that they

[4:45:30] do out of their own pockets to

[4:45:34] benefit residents students and

[4:45:36] schools is just amazing.

[4:45:39] Since the awards programs

[4:45:39] inception members of the

[4:45:42] charlotte mecklenburg community

[4:45:46] have nominated thousands of

[4:45:48] officers and after this

[4:45:48] evening's program we are

[4:45:52] excited to add another group to

[4:45:56] the more than 500 officers who

[4:45:57] have been recognized with a

[4:46:00] police community relations

[4:46:00] award.

[4:46:03] >> we'll everyone in the

[4:46:05] building who's ever won this

[4:46:20] award please stand now.

[4:46:21] See I thought I was going to

[4:46:24] have to call that deputy chief

[4:46:25] riley for not standing up and

[4:46:27] stuff because she know that's

[4:46:29] one of mine so I can do that.

[4:46:32] >> the officers nominated for

[4:46:35] the 46th annual police

[4:46:37] community relations awards have

[4:46:41] showcased innovation in solving

[4:46:44] neighborhood challenges and

[4:46:47] have exemplified the true

[4:46:50] spirit of community building.

[4:46:51] Let's take a moment to

[4:46:54] recognize all of the nominees

[4:46:57] for this year's annual police

[4:47:00] community relations award.

[4:47:03] >> please stand if you were

[4:47:13] nominated.

[4:47:15] Thank you.

[4:47:18] Through a very thorough

[4:47:21] process, tonight's award

[4:47:21] recipients have been selected

[4:47:26] by our esteemed judges from the

[4:47:26] charlotte mecklenburg community

[4:47:28] relations committee.

[4:47:31] Each recipient will be

[4:47:34] recognized with a plaque and

[4:47:35] receive a monetary award.

[4:47:39] now y'all know every year I

[4:47:41] tell you all about the little

[4:47:41] part that you are supposed to

[4:47:44] give to me out of that monetary

[4:47:44] thing.

[4:47:46] And so far I have not received

[4:47:47] my portions.

[4:47:50] As we get ready to announce the

[4:47:53] award recipients, let's give a

[4:47:57] round of applause to the family

[4:48:00] ,friends and community members

[4:48:03] who took the time to support,

[4:48:06] acknowledge and nominate these

[4:48:13] exceptional officers.

[4:48:17] >> your nominations feel this

[4:48:19] celebration of service and

[4:48:19] sacrifice.

[4:48:22] I encourage you to keep shining

[4:48:26] a light on the extraordinary

[4:48:28] work happening in our

[4:48:31] neighborhoods together.

[4:48:31] We are stronger and safer.

[4:48:39] Thank you.

[4:48:42] >> thank you, delores.

[4:48:42] >> at this time we want to hand

[4:48:44] out our awards.

[4:48:47] >> are y'all ready?

[4:48:49] As delores mentioned, we only

[4:48:49] have ten winners.

[4:48:52] All of you should be proud and

[4:48:52] we're all thankful for the

[4:48:53] service you provide to this

[4:48:55] community.

[4:48:55] We have ten officers who have

[4:48:55] won.

[4:48:58] We have one youth award we're

[4:49:00] also giving out tonight.

[4:49:03] This time I believe delores and

[4:49:04] sam are going to join us up

[4:49:04] here to pass out the awards.

[4:49:06] Here's how it's going to work.

[4:49:07] I'm going to read through the

[4:49:10] names for each officer who is

[4:49:13] one going to read part of your

[4:49:13] nomination what somebody from

[4:49:15] the community wrote about you

[4:49:16] and then I'm going to read what

[4:49:19] you wrote about the profession

[4:49:20] and why you think community

[4:49:22] policing is important.

[4:49:24] we're going to go through each

[4:49:24] one by one when I call your

[4:49:27] name and come up, get your

[4:49:30] plaque, take a photo and please

[4:49:30] stand here while I'm saying

[4:49:32] nice things about you and smile

[4:49:35] for our lovely photographer

[4:49:35] here.

[4:49:39] >> without further ado, our

[4:49:40] first winner is officer anthony

[4:49:47] mcgill from community services

[4:49:47] .

[4:49:50] This officer was nominated in

[4:49:51] connection with their work with

[4:49:53] the police activities league

[4:49:54] and the work they do to build

[4:49:56] trust and relationships with

[4:49:59] the youth in fun encouraging

[4:50:02] environments.

[4:50:05] >> officer mcgill wrote police

[4:50:06] community relations to me is

[4:50:09] about intentionally building

[4:50:09] and maintaining a bridge of

[4:50:12] trust respect and understanding

[4:50:12] between law enforcement and the

[4:50:15] people we serve.

[4:50:15] It goes beyond responding to

[4:50:17] calls.

[4:50:18] It's about being present,

[4:50:21] consistent and genuine.

[4:50:22] >> lee invested in the lives of

[4:50:24] community members through my

[4:50:24] work with powell.

[4:50:26] >> I focus on creating

[4:50:26] meaningful relationships with

[4:50:29] young people and their families

[4:50:30] following up showing up and

[4:50:32] staying engaged so they know

[4:50:33] they have someone they can rely

[4:50:35] on by being approachable,

[4:50:36] listening and leading with

[4:50:36] integrity.

[4:50:39] I strive to break down barriers

[4:50:39] and replace uncertainty with

[4:50:41] trust.

[4:50:42] Strong community relations are

[4:50:44] built over time through

[4:50:45] authentic connections and I

[4:50:47] take pride in being a positive,

[4:50:49] dependable presence that helps

[4:50:50] strengthen that bond.

[4:50:52] Every day we have a round of

[4:50:53] applause for officer anthony

[4:51:06] mcgill.

[4:51:06] >> I stay off to the side here.

[4:51:08] See that's the bad thing about

[4:51:09] being number one.

[4:51:09] >> you got to wait for

[4:51:14] everybody now and they stuck

[4:51:19] you down there by yourself.

[4:51:20] Our second winner tonight is

[4:51:22] lieutenant reggie jenkins of

[4:51:32] the east way division.

[4:51:35] >> this officer consistently

[4:51:36] demonstrates a strong

[4:51:39] commitment to engaging with the

[4:51:39] east way division community and

[4:51:41] addressing resident concerns in

[4:51:42] a proactive solutions oriented

[4:51:45] way.

[4:51:45] They regularly seek

[4:51:47] opportunities to communicate

[4:51:48] with residents and neighborhood

[4:51:50] leadership, provide updates and

[4:51:51] collaborate on safety

[4:51:51] initiatives.

[4:51:54] This officer demonstrates

[4:51:54] consistent accessibility,

[4:51:57] responsive ness and a genuine

[4:51:57] commitment to building trust

[4:52:00] and problem solving

[4:52:02] partnerships with the community

[4:52:02] .

[4:52:03] This is what lieutenant jenkins

[4:52:05] wrote.

[4:52:06] He said to me community police

[4:52:07] relations is about building

[4:52:08] genuine trust through

[4:52:11] consistent presence,

[4:52:11] transparency and

[4:52:11] accountability.

[4:52:14] I currently serve as a

[4:52:15] lieutenant in the east way

[4:52:15] division.

[4:52:17] I'm responsible for community

[4:52:17] policing efforts.

[4:52:20] My expectations are for the

[4:52:20] officers under my command to

[4:52:23] help bridge the gap between law

[4:52:23] enforcement and the people we

[4:52:26] serve by having an open line of

[4:52:28] communication mutual respect

[4:52:29] and consistent engagement.

[4:52:31] I see it as creating

[4:52:32] partnerships where community

[4:52:34] members feel heard, respected

[4:52:34] and safe.

[4:52:37] >> engaging with officers.

[4:52:37] Community policing is about

[4:52:39] connecting with people and

[4:52:40] working to solve problems

[4:52:42] together.

[4:52:43] >> congratulations lieutenant

[4:52:47] jenkins.

[4:52:48] >> I've seen him before in the

[4:52:51] headquarters and I think he's

[4:52:53] taller than me and it doesn't

[4:52:56] happen often.

[4:52:57] Our third winner tonight is

[4:52:59] officer keyon harris, a school

[4:53:04] resource officer.

[4:53:07] You tell the kids you got

[4:53:09] nominated for an award.

[4:53:12] This officer has consistently

[4:53:13] demonstrated professionalism.

[4:53:15] Sound judgment and a strong

[4:53:18] commitment to community safety

[4:53:18] .

[4:53:19] His presence has been

[4:53:21] invaluable in situations that

[4:53:22] require both firmness and

[4:53:22] compassion.

[4:53:25] He has shown the ability to

[4:53:25] tactfully and prudently

[4:53:27] de-escalate tense circumstances

[4:53:30] ensuring that interactions are

[4:53:31] handled with care while

[4:53:33] maintaining the safety and

[4:53:33] protection of everyone

[4:53:34] involved.

[4:53:36] This officer is respectful and

[4:53:37] attentive in his approach and

[4:53:39] those he serves.

[4:53:40] He listens, communicates

[4:53:42] clearly and treats community

[4:53:42] members with dignity.

[4:53:45] This is what he wrote for me

[4:53:48] police community relations play

[4:53:48] a very important role in

[4:53:49] today's society.

[4:53:51] i strongly believe that

[4:53:52] officers should be in the

[4:53:54] community developing positive

[4:53:54] relationships by having

[4:53:57] conversations with people,

[4:53:57] going to community events,

[4:53:58] getting out of the car and

[4:54:00] walking the neighborhood,

[4:54:00] speaking to the youth,

[4:54:02] volunteering to coach etc..

[4:54:05] >> you do a lot.

[4:54:05] He said I do these things and

[4:54:08] it builds trust within the

[4:54:08] community and we all need that.

[4:54:10] Police community relations also

[4:54:13] deters crime while being

[4:54:13] visible in the community police

[4:54:16] community relations is why I

[4:54:19] became a school resource

[4:54:19] officer.

[4:54:19] I wanted to help bridge the gap

[4:54:22] between law enforcement and the

[4:54:23] community.

[4:54:30] Congratulations officer.

[4:54:33] Our next winner tonight is

[4:54:34] officer jasmine nevins of the

[4:54:39] central division.

[4:54:41] Unfortunately, she could not be

[4:54:42] here tonight but we still

[4:54:43] wanted to honor her and

[4:54:44] acknowledge her.

[4:54:45] We've got her picture up on the

[4:54:45] screen.

[4:54:48] She has helped strengthen trust

[4:54:48] between the cpd and the

[4:54:50] communities they serve through

[4:54:51] sustained engagement,

[4:54:53] transparency and responsiveness

[4:54:56] through consistent presence at

[4:54:56] community meetings, proactive

[4:54:59] engagement with stakeholders

[4:54:59] and a solutions oriented

[4:55:00] mindset.

[4:55:03] She has helped foster an

[4:55:03] environment where residents and

[4:55:05] neighborhood leaders feel heard

[4:55:05] ,respected and supported.

[4:55:08] She wrote that police community

[4:55:09] can be police community

[4:55:11] relations to me means the

[4:55:11] relationships I build and

[4:55:14] foster between the police

[4:55:15] department and the community.

[4:55:17] These connections are essential

[4:55:18] as they create trust,

[4:55:20] understanding and collaboration

[4:55:22] between both.

[4:55:23] >> how about another round of

[4:55:29] applause for officer nevins,

[4:55:30] our fifth winner tonight is

[4:55:33] officer samuel rouse of the

[4:55:38] hickory grove division.

[4:55:41] He's also getting an award for

[4:55:43] best mustache tonight.

[4:55:46] It's a good mustache.

[4:55:49] >> this officer has

[4:55:49] demonstrated a strong

[4:55:51] commitment to building trust

[4:55:52] and positive relationships

[4:55:54] between law enforcement and the

[4:55:55] residents he serves.

[4:55:57] Through his approachable

[4:55:58] demeanor and steady presence,

[4:56:00] he has become a trusted

[4:56:01] resource for both individual

[4:56:03] residents and neighborhood

[4:56:04] groups as he transition into

[4:56:07] the role of community liaison

[4:56:07] officer.

[4:56:10] He quickly connected with our

[4:56:10] neighborhood board meeting with

[4:56:12] us to talk about meaningful

[4:56:13] ways to improve communication,

[4:56:16] connection, safety and security

[4:56:16] within the community.

[4:56:18] He wrote strong police

[4:56:19] community relations are

[4:56:21] essential to maintaining an

[4:56:22] effective and trusted police

[4:56:24] force, especially in today's

[4:56:27] climate without strong police

[4:56:28] community relations it is the

[4:56:30] community that suffers.

[4:56:33] Officers routinely rely on

[4:56:33] information and cooperation

[4:56:36] from the public to solve cases

[4:56:36] and prevent crime.

[4:56:38] Police work can sometimes be

[4:56:39] difficult to watch and too

[4:56:41] often the court of public

[4:56:42] opinion is quickly influenced

[4:56:44] by clickbait headlines or short

[4:56:45] context free video clips.

[4:56:47] A consistent and positive

[4:56:48] presence within the community

[4:56:50] can help counter the constant

[4:56:53] flow of negative news and

[4:56:53] highlight the many good things

[4:56:56] officers do every day.

[4:56:57] >> even the small acts that

[4:56:59] often go on noticed.

[4:57:05] >> congratulations officer.

[4:57:05] And I do want to let you know

[4:57:07] we're going to have this on the

[4:57:10] news tonight and on the

[4:57:11] news tomorrow morning because

[4:57:13] the positive stuff does matter

[4:57:13] as well.

[4:57:15] And I know you all probably see

[4:57:16] yourself in clips on the

[4:57:19] news for the negative stuff

[4:57:19] that happens.

[4:57:20] >> but we want to acknowledge

[4:57:22] the positive too.

[4:57:23] >> congrats, man.

[4:57:23] Mm hmm.

[4:57:28] Our next winner is detective

[4:57:31] joy emanuel of the metro

[4:57:36] division.

[4:57:39] Now when they gave this to me,

[4:57:43] they put six nominations

[4:57:48] specifically six nominations.

[4:57:49] >> this officer embodies the

[4:57:51] very essence of community

[4:57:51] service that this recognition

[4:57:52] celebrates.

[4:57:54] For over a decade she has been

[4:57:55] a beacon of compassion and

[4:57:57] dedication and in our community

[4:58:00] relentlessly working to forge

[4:58:00] positive problem solving

[4:58:03] relationships with residents.

[4:58:04] Just name a few.

[4:58:06] I've seen her quietly purchase

[4:58:07] car seats and essential

[4:58:09] supplies for pregnant

[4:58:09] teenagers.

[4:58:12] >> provide warm coffee for the

[4:58:13] unhoused.

[4:58:14] Buy groceries.

[4:58:18] mentor to tutor and coach at

[4:58:20] both phillip o'brien academy

[4:58:21] and west charlotte high school.

[4:58:26] >> and that is that's just a

[4:58:27] snippet of it.

[4:58:29] It was the longest one she

[4:58:32] wrote the relationship between

[4:58:33] law enforcement and the

[4:58:33] community is incredibly

[4:58:36] significant to me.

[4:58:36] As a lifelong resident of

[4:58:39] charlotte and a police officer

[4:58:39] the past ten years, I view law

[4:58:42] enforcement as a vital partner

[4:58:42] and collaborator within our

[4:58:45] neighborhoods.

[4:58:45] The role extends far beyond

[4:58:46] enforcing laws.

[4:58:48] It requires professionalism,

[4:58:50] building trust and working

[4:58:51] alongside the community to

[4:58:53] de-escalate situations and

[4:58:54] solve problems all while

[4:58:56] ensuring fairness and equitable

[4:58:57] treatment for everyone.

[4:58:59] My passion for service began as

[4:59:02] a teenager when I volunteered

[4:59:04] with the cbd community

[4:59:05] engagement division and was

[4:59:06] specifically inspired by

[4:59:08] officers in ratliff.

[4:59:10] Since then I have carried that

[4:59:11] inspiration with me throughout

[4:59:11] my career.

[4:59:14] Every day presents an

[4:59:14] opportunity to uplift the

[4:59:16] community and even in

[4:59:17] challenging moments I strive to

[4:59:20] exemplify respect, integrity

[4:59:20] and compassion.

[4:59:26] Congratulations, detective.

[4:59:29] And I like that you shout it

[4:59:31] out the person who inspired you

[4:59:34] because I bet in 1015 years I'm

[4:59:34] going to be up here and

[4:59:36] somebody might say the same

[4:59:36] thing about you.

[4:59:39] >> you're welcome.

[4:59:41] >> our seventh winner tonight

[4:59:44] is officer peterson jean of the

[4:59:49] north division.

[4:59:51] This officer has served our

[4:59:54] school resource officer ranson

[4:59:54] for two years and his impact on

[4:59:56] our students has been

[4:59:57] transformational.

[4:59:59] He has built positive

[5:00:00] relationships with our students

[5:00:02] and staff resulting in

[5:00:03] improvement in our school

[5:00:05] culture and reputation.

[5:00:06] Moreover, he has been an agent

[5:00:08] of change by creating the

[5:00:08] future young leaders club at

[5:00:09] ranson.

[5:00:11] A leadership and fitness

[5:00:11] program for the kids.

[5:00:14] Officer gene works with our f y

[5:00:16] l students weekly helping them

[5:00:17] improve their grades, their

[5:00:20] self-esteem, fitness and

[5:00:20] confidence.

[5:00:28] Officer officer jean wrote I

[5:00:29] come from a diverse background

[5:00:29] that has allowed me to

[5:00:31] experience many aspects of

[5:00:31] life.

[5:00:34] These experiences have given me

[5:00:34] a unique perspective and

[5:00:37] strengthened my passion for

[5:00:37] supporting those in my

[5:00:37] community.

[5:00:39] Strong communities are built by

[5:00:40] individuals who create

[5:00:42] opportunities and support one

[5:00:43] another.

[5:00:45] This brings to mind the saying

[5:00:46] quote it takes a village to

[5:00:48] raise a child.

[5:00:48] End quote.

[5:00:51] That sentiment extends beyond

[5:00:51] children.

[5:00:52] It applies to all members who

[5:00:54] are willing to contribute to

[5:00:55] the village.

[5:00:55] >> through these connections

[5:00:57] I've gained valuable experience

[5:01:00] forming partnerships and have

[5:01:00] witnessed the positive impact

[5:01:03] we can achieve together.

[5:01:07] >> congratulations officer jane

[5:01:08] .

[5:01:10] Our eighth winner tonight is

[5:01:16] officer antoine patterson.

[5:01:18] We have officer patterson in

[5:01:21] the house.

[5:01:22] We're going to acknowledge him.

[5:01:24] This officer was nominated in

[5:01:25] connection with their work with

[5:01:27] the citizens on patrol program.

[5:01:28] It is a cool program or

[5:01:30] community members help officers

[5:01:32] with crime reduction and

[5:01:33] community improvement.

[5:01:35] He wrote to me community

[5:01:36] policing means being present

[5:01:39] involve and committed to

[5:01:39] building those genuine

[5:01:42] relationships with the people

[5:01:42] we are sworn to serve as the

[5:01:44] volunteer liaison for cpd.

[5:01:48] I help on board individual who

[5:01:48] want to contribute to our

[5:01:50] community and support programs

[5:01:50] like the mayor's youth

[5:01:53] employment program where I work

[5:01:54] with 16 to 18 year olds through

[5:01:56] mentorship and internships.

[5:01:57] One more round of applause for

[5:02:03] officer antoine patterson.

[5:02:06] >> we have two more left.

[5:02:08] >> our ninth winner tonight is

[5:02:10] k9 detective jonathan zadan of

[5:02:17] the airport division.

[5:02:20] Where's the dog?

[5:02:25] >> not tonight.

[5:02:30] >> I'm sure all that chicken.

[5:02:31] >> this officer delivered an

[5:02:33] engaging and informative canine

[5:02:34] demonstration for a community

[5:02:36] aviation program showing strong

[5:02:39] commitment and professionalism

[5:02:39] throughout.

[5:02:40] He volunteered to present

[5:02:42] during a weekday evening.

[5:02:43] Communicated consistently

[5:02:45] during the planning process and

[5:02:45] even conducted a site visit in

[5:02:48] advance to ensure a safe and

[5:02:48] effective setup.

[5:02:51] >> he repeated the presentation

[5:02:51] for smaller groups tailoring

[5:02:54] each session to the audience's

[5:02:57] questions and engagement level.

[5:02:59] >> you're all about the details

[5:03:00] .

[5:03:00] >> the first word that comes to

[5:03:02] mind is impact.

[5:03:03] This is what he wrote.

[5:03:05] I believe you only get one shot

[5:03:06] at a first meaningful

[5:03:08] impression which will impact

[5:03:09] that person's outlook on you

[5:03:11] for the rest of their lives and

[5:03:14] the lives of the other persons

[5:03:14] involved.

[5:03:14] The other part is follow

[5:03:15] through.

[5:03:17] Get the job done.

[5:03:17] Do it right.

[5:03:20] I am going into the job making

[5:03:20] a conscious effort to be

[5:03:21] positive.

[5:03:23] Regardless of the outside

[5:03:25] negative influences affecting

[5:03:26] our society, I make sure I

[5:03:28] acknowledge people as human

[5:03:28] beings first.

[5:03:31] A simple smile or had nod or

[5:03:32] handshake.

[5:03:35] My reputation in every

[5:03:35] community I work in is very

[5:03:37] important and I want the people

[5:03:38] I serve to know when they say

[5:03:40] my name.

[5:03:41] >> they immediately say he is

[5:03:43] one of the good ones.

[5:03:44] >> he can be trusted.

[5:03:46] He will get the work done and

[5:03:46] do it the right way.

[5:03:50] K9 detective jonathan sudan

[5:03:57] congratulations to our final

[5:04:00] officer winner tonight is

[5:04:03] officer veronica cruz santos of

[5:04:08] the community engagement unit.

[5:04:11] This officer has consistently

[5:04:11] shown her commitment to

[5:04:14] building positive problem

[5:04:16] solving empathy, active

[5:04:17] listening and cultural

[5:04:17] understanding, making youth

[5:04:19] feel supported and seen her

[5:04:22] presence as a latina officer

[5:04:23] also serves as a powerful

[5:04:25] example for our students many

[5:04:26] of whom relate to her

[5:04:28] background and leadership.

[5:04:29] She is deeply involved in the

[5:04:31] broader community.

[5:04:32] Families often share that they

[5:04:34] see her at neighborhood events

[5:04:35] ,school functions and local

[5:04:37] gatherings where she continues

[5:04:39] building trust through genuine

[5:04:40] respectful engagement.

[5:04:43] She wrote police community

[5:04:43] relations means the public and

[5:04:46] officers are able to

[5:04:47] effectively work together

[5:04:49] toward a common goal.

[5:04:49] >> it allows a relationship to

[5:04:52] be built and for both parties

[5:04:52] to learn about one another.

[5:04:54] It allows officers to learn

[5:04:55] more about the people we serve

[5:04:57] and protect while it allows the

[5:04:58] community to learn more about

[5:05:00] the officer or about the

[5:05:01] department.

[5:05:03] It allows the community to see

[5:05:03] beyond the badge and the

[5:05:06] uniform.

[5:05:11] >> congratulations.

[5:05:13] >> we have a round of applause

[5:05:14] for our officers winning

[5:05:32] tonight.

[5:05:32] >> we're going to do our youth

[5:05:34] winner and then we'll get a big

[5:05:34] picture.

[5:05:35] That sounds good.

[5:05:37] We do have a youth award that

[5:05:38] we wanted to acknowledge

[5:05:38] tonight.

[5:05:41] Delores hamrick she is not here

[5:05:43] but I'm told she's got a good

[5:05:44] reason.

[5:05:49] >> she's a senior prom.

[5:05:52] She feels like prom awards with

[5:05:54] a bunch of older people.

[5:05:57] Prom she goes to west charlotte

[5:05:57] high school.

[5:06:02] >> so she's a battalion

[5:06:05] commander in the jrotc and a

[5:06:06] student leader in sga.

[5:06:08] She leads with integrity,

[5:06:09] accountability and a strong

[5:06:11] commitment to collaboration and

[5:06:12] earning the respect of those

[5:06:12] around her.

[5:06:15] She's extensively involved in

[5:06:15] programs such as right moves

[5:06:18] for youth and young life.

[5:06:18] And it reflects her dedication

[5:06:20] to service and her ability to

[5:06:21] build trust, uplift others and

[5:06:24] foster positive relationships.

[5:06:25] She was nominated for this

[5:06:27] award in recognition of her

[5:06:28] outstanding leadership service

[5:06:30] and meaningful impact on her

[5:06:30] peers and community.

[5:06:33] Dolores hambrick, our youth

[5:06:39] winner at this time as the

[5:06:41] elected leaders want to get a

[5:06:41] big picture if you guys don't

[5:06:43] mind sliding over.

[5:06:46] Oh, okay.

[5:06:49] Okay.

[5:06:57] >> she's getting complicated,

[5:06:57] right?

[5:07:04] No, no, no, no.

[5:07:09] Thank you.

[5:07:22] Have.

[5:07:28] >> while they are doing that I

[5:07:28] want to see something real

[5:07:28] quick.

[5:07:31] All the officers in the room.

[5:07:32] >> do you mind raising your

[5:07:33] hand?

[5:07:34] >> who here has been a rcmp

[5:07:36] officer for three years?

[5:07:37] >> really?

[5:07:39] Your hand up.

[5:07:41] >> chief.

[5:07:42] Don't go.

[5:07:44] Don't make a run if you've been

[5:07:46] an officer for seven years,

[5:07:49] leave your hand on high.

[5:07:52] >> been an officer for ten

[5:07:52] years.

[5:08:03] >> keep your hand up 15 20, 25

[5:08:08] ,30 ten.

[5:08:16] Do we have a way to oh, do we

[5:08:18] do we need to go until we get a

[5:08:19] winner?

[5:08:23] 31.

[5:08:24] >> chief are you still out of

[5:08:25] you son?

[5:08:26] >> congratulations.

[5:08:33] How many years say did we.

[5:08:38] Round of applause for that.

[5:08:43] Oh.

[5:08:44] At this time we'd like to call

[5:08:48] up chief estella patterson of

[5:08:49] the charlotte-mecklenburg

[5:08:53] police department.

[5:08:54] Thanks, malik.

[5:08:56] Good evening, everyone.

[5:09:00] >> my name is estella patterson

[5:09:01] and always I say it is my

[5:09:03] distinct honor and my pleasure

[5:09:05] to serve as your chief of

[5:09:05] police.

[5:09:06] I'm not only the chief for the

[5:09:08] officers but I am the chief for

[5:09:09] the community.

[5:09:11] I'm here to serve you.

[5:09:12] And being here tonight just

[5:09:14] looking around the room and

[5:09:17] seeing all the nominees is all

[5:09:18] those who receive the award

[5:09:20] just warms my heart.

[5:09:20] >> all week we have been

[5:09:23] celebrating national police

[5:09:24] week and we started the week

[5:09:26] with a bicycle ride.

[5:09:27] We had six or so of our

[5:09:29] officers and community members

[5:09:29] riding pedaling to dc in honor

[5:09:32] of our fallen officers, our

[5:09:35] brothers and sisters in blue.

[5:09:35] >> and then we continue the

[5:09:37] week with various events but

[5:09:40] the most impactful events this

[5:09:40] week have been the awards

[5:09:43] ceremony that we did on

[5:09:43] wednesday the command college

[5:09:46] graduation on yesterday and

[5:09:49] then tonight the awards the crc

[5:09:51] awards because truly this is

[5:09:52] what it's about and I think you

[5:09:53] hit the nail on the head when

[5:09:54] you said that many times things

[5:09:57] are amplified that is negative

[5:10:00] as it pertains to the police,

[5:10:00] the community, the crime, that

[5:10:03] kind of thing.

[5:10:06] But every single day ten, 20,

[5:10:07] 30 times a day our employees

[5:10:09] are doing magnificent things.

[5:10:09] They do doing amazing work

[5:10:12] every single day that you don't

[5:10:12] hear about.

[5:10:13] So tonight is that night to be

[5:10:15] able to celebrate their

[5:10:15] successes and hear their

[5:10:17] stories and the things that

[5:10:18] they're doing their community.

[5:10:21] As the chief I'm extremely,

[5:10:21] extremely proud.

[5:10:23] >> and so I want to say to all

[5:10:24] our awardees tonight thank you

[5:10:26] for the work that you're doing

[5:10:26] for all the nominees.

[5:10:27] Thank you for the work you're

[5:10:29] doing for my executive team

[5:10:29] that's here.

[5:10:30] Thank you.

[5:10:32] I work you hard.

[5:10:33] >> I know I do a stretch you

[5:10:33] stretch.

[5:10:34] You stretch you but you keep

[5:10:35] showing up.

[5:10:35] >> so thank you so much for

[5:10:37] that.

[5:10:38] And lastly I just want to thank

[5:10:40] the crc for being such an

[5:10:41] amazing partner always with us

[5:10:43] always working with us.

[5:10:44] Terry you and I have many

[5:10:44] conversations.

[5:10:46] You're always so gracious when

[5:10:47] we talk about things.

[5:10:49] So thank you so much to all the

[5:10:51] crc for what you do and for our

[5:10:52] community members who are here

[5:10:54] among us.

[5:10:54] We are here because of you.

[5:10:57] It is our joy to serve this

[5:10:57] community.

[5:10:59] one of my pillars coming back

[5:11:01] as the chief is that we will

[5:11:02] make sure that we're building

[5:11:04] stronger partnerships with our

[5:11:05] community because we know when

[5:11:08] the community is on our side

[5:11:08] there's no limit in what we can

[5:11:10] do to make charlotte the safest

[5:11:11] city in the united states.

[5:11:13] >> thank you all and have a

[5:11:16] good night.

[5:11:21] Thank you, chief.

[5:11:24] >> to close us out, terry

[5:11:26] bradley.

[5:11:32] >> the city interim director.

[5:11:32] Thank you, alex.

[5:11:35] So commissioner powell, I know

[5:11:36] you're feeling about all the

[5:11:38] extroverts that have come up

[5:11:41] and we're going to follow suit

[5:11:42] so I get your pain.

[5:11:44] So I'm supposed to close out?

[5:11:46] And I want to at least make

[5:11:49] sure that I do this and correct

[5:11:49] fashion.

[5:11:52] We've been doing this and I was

[5:11:53] sitting here looking at this

[5:11:56] sign up here and I believe

[5:11:57] there was a one up here when I

[5:11:59] first started in front of this

[5:11:59] six.

[5:12:02] So it's been a while for us to

[5:12:04] have any celebrations 46 years.

[5:12:07] >> as we close out the 46th

[5:12:08] annual police community

[5:12:11] relations awards, I want to

[5:12:11] leave a few things for us to

[5:12:13] reflect on.

[5:12:16] >> tonight is not just about

[5:12:17] recognizing outstanding

[5:12:17] officers.

[5:12:19] It's about celebrating trust,

[5:12:22] partnership and collaboration

[5:12:25] in the ongoing work of building

[5:12:26] stronger relationships between

[5:12:28] law enforcement and the

[5:12:30] community we all serve.

[5:12:31] The partnership between the

[5:12:31] charlotte-mecklenburg community

[5:12:33] relations and cpd has always

[5:12:36] been rooted in collaboration,

[5:12:37] communication and transparency.

[5:12:40] When concerns arise in our

[5:12:42] community we work together to

[5:12:43] address them.

[5:12:45] The same pd can't do it alone.

[5:12:46] Community relations can't do it

[5:12:46] alone.

[5:12:48] And we've tried to create a

[5:12:51] better path for for everyone

[5:12:51] involved.

[5:12:54] We remain committed to bringing

[5:12:54] a community perspective that

[5:12:57] helps strengthen outcomes,

[5:12:59] improve relationships and build

[5:13:00] bridges by listening.

[5:13:02] >> at the same time, this

[5:13:03] partnership is also about

[5:13:05] recognizing and uplifting the

[5:13:10] good work that we all do.

[5:13:11] >> when I say that sometimes

[5:13:14] there are opportunities where

[5:13:17] the same pd can't tell the

[5:13:17] story and I think that's where

[5:13:19] we step in.

[5:13:20] We're able to highlight and

[5:13:22] uplift those stories.

[5:13:24] The work that often goes unseen

[5:13:25] .

[5:13:25] Tonight we heard highlights of

[5:13:27] meaningful work saying pd

[5:13:30] officers do every day.

[5:13:32] We wouldn't know about it and

[5:13:33] the lasting impact it has on

[5:13:35] our community members.

[5:13:37] This event is an opportunity to

[5:13:38] celebrate those acts of service

[5:13:41] and connection.

[5:13:44] I want to thank the many people

[5:13:44] who made tonight possible.

[5:13:47] Thank you to the city of

[5:13:49] charlotte the elected officials

[5:13:52] charlotte mecklenburg county

[5:13:53] leaders and the elected

[5:13:55] officials that are at hand.

[5:13:56] Thank you to the community

[5:13:58] relations committee.

[5:13:59] >> again, let's give them a

[5:14:06] round of applause.

[5:14:06] >> I want to acknowledge our

[5:14:09] community relations staff.

[5:14:19] Could you guys stand again?

[5:14:22] >> you guys can take a big deep

[5:14:22] breath after this weekend.

[5:14:25] I know there's a lot of work.

[5:14:27] >> yeah, I mean they worked

[5:14:28] tirelessly behind the scenes to

[5:14:30] organize this event.

[5:14:30] But a special thing too to

[5:14:35] people I want to uplift today

[5:14:40] and that's the laws harry smith

[5:14:45] aka cookie and diamond davies

[5:14:52] could you take us.

[5:14:54] Diamond this is I think her

[5:14:55] first year doing this event and

[5:14:57] I think she did a phenomenal

[5:14:58] job.

[5:14:58] >> so let's give her a round of

[5:15:02] applause.

[5:15:03] >> thank you for your

[5:15:05] leadership in planning and

[5:15:05] coordinating this event.

[5:15:08] Thank you to everyone who

[5:15:08] submitted nominations and took

[5:15:11] the time to recognize officers

[5:15:13] making a difference in our

[5:15:13] community.

[5:15:16] Please encourage others in your

[5:15:18] neighborhood to do the same and

[5:15:21] networks to do the same in

[5:15:21] nominations remain open all

[5:15:24] during the year so you can

[5:15:26] start nominating now.

[5:15:27] And before I leave I'll close

[5:15:30] with this little friday night

[5:15:30] wisdom.

[5:15:32] Remember to smile and I'm going

[5:15:33] to look at all of you to the

[5:15:36] person that has to make it can

[5:15:38] be the difference between

[5:15:39] staying here longer or getting

[5:15:44] out a little bit early.

[5:15:44] >> thank you all for being here

[5:15:47] tonight and we look forward to

[5:15:47] seeing you guys next year.

[5:15:48] >> congratulations to the

[5:15:55] winners.

[5:15:58] I appreciate the opportunity.

[5:15:58] Thank you guys all.

[5:15:59] Congrats to our winners.

[5:16:01] congrats to our nominees.

[5:16:02] >> everyone have a wonderful

[5:16:06] weekend.

[5:16:06] If you want an award please

[5:16:08] return to the front.

[5:16:35] We're going to get a picture

[5:16:36] forensic interview is a

[5:16:38] specialized conversation with a

[5:16:40] child. It's meant to elicit the

[5:16:42] child's own statement about

[5:16:43] something that a child has

[5:16:44] witnessed directly or

[5:16:47] experienced directly or

[5:16:49] experience indirectly meaning

[5:16:52] if they have been a victim of

[5:16:54] any type of child abuse or if

[5:16:56] they witnessed a violent crime

[5:17:04] . >> my name is kelly wood. I'm

[5:17:05] a director of response services

[5:17:07] at pat's police child advocacy

[5:17:08] center. We are part of a

[5:17:10] multidisciplinary team of

[5:17:11] professionals who work to

[5:17:13] prevent, identify and combat

[5:17:16] child abuse. At our center it

[5:17:17] is the opportunity for children

[5:17:19] and their caregivers to come

[5:17:21] participate in a forensic

[5:17:22] interview. They were receiving

[5:17:24] early advocacy services. They

[5:17:26] will also have an opportunity

[5:17:28] on site to receive a forensic

[5:17:30] medical evaluation and then

[5:17:32] they family advocates will link

[5:17:33] the child and the family to

[5:17:35] therapeutic services to ensure

[5:17:36] the integrity of the interview

[5:17:39] to remove those influences.

[5:17:40] It's just the forensic

[5:17:41] interviewer and the child of

[5:17:42] course unless the child needs

[5:17:44] some type of communication

[5:17:46] assistance. Child abuse can be

[5:17:48] very scary, you know, as the

[5:17:49] child experiencing and as the

[5:17:51] parent learning about it.

[5:17:53] Because usually the majority of

[5:17:55] perpetrators who harm children

[5:17:56] are known by that child in that

[5:17:58] family. We are there to provide

[5:18:01] care for children in the non

[5:18:02] offending caregivers. Another

[5:18:04] branch of pat's place is

[5:18:06] linking parents community

[5:18:07] members to trauma treatment.

[5:18:09] Parents can absolutely call

[5:18:12] directly and be connected to a

[5:18:13] coordinator who can provide

[5:18:15] those therapeutic linkages to

[5:18:22] for crimes against children. We

[5:18:23] investigate cases regarding

[5:18:25] juvenile sexual abuse and

[5:18:27] felony child abuse. So whether

[5:18:29] it's rape anything that's for

[5:18:30] sexual assault on a child we

[5:18:32] focus on the ages of 15 and

[5:18:33] under. This also includes

[5:18:36] sexual exploitation. So that

[5:18:38] can involve the possession of

[5:18:40] pornography that can involve

[5:18:43] influencing someone online to

[5:18:44] send you messages that's

[5:18:46] underage. The perpetrators try

[5:18:47] to like manipulate them. They

[5:18:49] will try to make the kids feel

[5:18:50] like it's their fault, like

[5:18:52] it's normal and it's not over

[5:18:55] about 90% of the perpetrators

[5:18:56] they are people that we're

[5:18:57] close to. These like

[5:18:59] individuals they try to become

[5:19:01] very, very involved in like a

[5:19:03] child's life. Children who are

[5:19:05] possibly experiencing this

[5:19:08] abuse start to have bedwetting.

[5:19:10] Some of them are having trouble

[5:19:12] with memory or they start to

[5:19:13] lose the language that they've

[5:19:15] already acquired. The fiscal I

[5:19:17] think most of us can agree that

[5:19:18] that's one of the most obvious

[5:19:19] right? That's something that we

[5:19:20] can see. That's something

[5:19:21] somebody could say okay, well

[5:19:22] this >> I'm reporting it

[5:19:24] because I see this. A lot of

[5:19:26] people they feel like they

[5:19:28] cannot make our report to us

[5:19:29] because it could be something

[5:19:31] that happened 20 plus years

[5:19:32] ago. But every single felony

[5:19:34] that we have >> as far as like

[5:19:36] child abuse, there's like no

[5:19:37] limitations on that. I think

[5:19:39] the field is very difficult to

[5:19:40] work and it can be very

[5:19:42] traumatizing but it's also

[5:19:44] probably the most >> rewarding

[5:19:46] one. So we are all mandated

[5:19:47] reporters. They can just

[5:19:48] contact law enforcement as one

[5:19:49] of the easiest things we can

[5:19:52] say. Social services they're a

[5:19:53] great resource. Some people do

[5:19:54] feel uncomfortable at law

[5:19:56] enforcement. So reaching out to

[5:19:58] that separate partner that we

[5:20:00] have just advocating for the

[5:20:01] children if it's nothing else

[5:20:02] other than somebody checking on

[5:20:04] that child, it's never a waste

[5:20:04] of our time >> and.

[5:26:12] I. >> welcome to the graduation

[5:26:14] ceremony for a recruit class

[5:26:17] 134. My name's jeff richardson.

[5:26:18] I'm the chief of training.

[5:26:20] Please stand this class 134

[5:26:22] enters the auditorium. Remain

[5:26:24] standing for the presentation

[5:26:25] of the colors the pledge of

[5:26:28] allegiance and the invocation.

[5:26:32] >> drop out of our control.

[5:26:40] That. What we are

[5:28:50] all about. Oh oh for more

[5:29:16] on it. All right. Prepare for

[5:29:35] both. Put. Present. Oh, I

[5:29:39] pledge allegiance >> to I. No

[5:29:53] matter what on earth. Oh.

[5:30:02] Center right. For more >>

[5:30:29] . At >> this time I asked

[5:30:31] captain chad sullivan to offer

[5:30:39] today's invocation. Good

[5:30:41] morning, everybody. Let's bow

[5:30:43] our heads to the lord's prayer.

[5:30:45] Give thanks that only father

[5:30:47] lord, we love you for so many

[5:30:49] reasons so many blessings that

[5:30:51] you continually give us lord

[5:30:52] not just individually but as

[5:30:54] families and as a whole. But

[5:30:55] right now I'd like to take up

[5:30:57] time to lift up this class and

[5:31:00] this graduation. As they begin

[5:31:02] a new season of life the

[5:31:04] beginning of their career as a

[5:31:06] firefighter institution, I do

[5:31:08] ask that you cover them lord

[5:31:10] with protection you most

[5:31:11] certainly give them wisdom and

[5:31:13] discernment to honor you in

[5:31:16] their choices that they make

[5:31:18] lord in their interactions >>

[5:31:18] that you have with the

[5:31:20] community and each other that

[5:31:22] you would just give them >>

[5:31:25] continued grace or we love you

[5:31:26] for all you do. We most of all

[5:31:28] love you for christ and we

[5:31:30] didn't cross for our sins. Your

[5:31:36] name is right. Amen. Please be

[5:31:44] seated. >> so I would. Today's

[5:31:45] a bit of a who's who in the

[5:31:47] city and and in the fire

[5:31:50] service. And we have a number

[5:31:51] of guests joining us today, so

[5:31:53] I'd like to recognize them

[5:31:57] first for the charlotte city

[5:31:58] council, we are honored to have

[5:32:01] council member luana mayfield

[5:32:03] with us today and we are so

[5:32:05] grateful for your continued

[5:32:07] support of the fire department.

[5:32:08] Thank you so much for being

[5:32:10] here. From the civil service

[5:32:12] board we have the chairperson

[5:32:14] MISS Crystal screen. Thank you

[5:32:16] also for your continued support

[5:32:18] of the fire department and for

[5:32:20] being with us this morning.

[5:32:22] Retired fire chief john hannan

[5:32:24] is with us. Chief cannot serve

[5:32:26] the fire department from 1978

[5:32:29] until his retirement in 2017.

[5:32:30] Chief it's an honor to have you

[5:32:32] with us here this morning. >>

[5:32:33] former chief of training and

[5:32:35] retired deputy chief kevin

[5:32:37] gordon is with us. Chief gordon

[5:32:39] sir currently oversees all

[5:32:40] certification and training

[5:32:42] programs with the north

[5:32:44] carolina office of state fire

[5:32:46] marshal. Chief, thank you for

[5:32:49] being here. Also kevin coots,

[5:32:51] the chief engineer of the

[5:32:52] insurance service office is

[5:32:54] joining us today. His son

[5:32:55] robert >> is among the

[5:33:02] graduates I saw former chief of

[5:33:03] train and retired division

[5:33:06] chief lance >> folk earlier

[5:33:08] along with retired division

[5:33:10] chief. Thank neumann. It's good

[5:33:11] to have you gentlemen with us

[5:33:14] today. We depend pretty heavily

[5:33:17] on a great partnership with the

[5:33:18] local community college and our

[5:33:20] from central piedmont community

[5:33:22] college dean of public safety

[5:33:24] luke sale in the back of the

[5:33:27] room and also the fire training

[5:33:32] coordinator louis mcswain. And

[5:33:36] last but certainly not least

[5:33:38] terry fox who serves as

[5:33:39] chairperson of the north

[5:33:40] carolina fire and rescue

[5:33:42] commission certification board

[5:33:44] . Thank you all for being here

[5:33:48] today. Seated >> to my left is

[5:33:50] the charlotte fire department

[5:33:51] command staff deputy chief

[5:33:54] jerry winkles is the chief of

[5:33:55] operations. He manages 1100

[5:33:57] sworn operations personnel and

[5:33:58] the special operations

[5:34:01] division. Deputy chief beau

[5:34:02] fitzgerald is the chief of

[5:34:04] personnel administration. He

[5:34:06] oversees the training division

[5:34:07] the health and safety division

[5:34:10] recruitment and human resources

[5:34:12] deputy chief >> white graham is

[5:34:13] the chief of business

[5:34:15] administration. He oversees the

[5:34:17] office of emergency management

[5:34:19] communications division, the

[5:34:21] bureau of fire prevention, fire

[5:34:23] investigation logistics and the

[5:34:26] office of strategic planning.

[5:34:27] Our speaker this morning is

[5:34:29] fire chief reginal johnson. In

[5:34:31] 2018 after retiring as

[5:34:32] assistant chief of operations

[5:34:35] in fairfax county, virginia,

[5:34:36] chief johnson was appointed the

[5:34:37] fire chief for the city of

[5:34:40] charlotte. Chief johnson also

[5:34:41] serves as a commissioner of the

[5:34:42] north carolina state emergency

[5:34:44] response commission and holds a

[5:34:46] master of science in emergency

[5:34:47] management from the university

[5:34:49] of maryland. Please join me in

[5:34:50] welcoming fire chief reginald

[5:35:01] >> johnson to the stage. >>

[5:35:03] good morning, everyone.

[5:35:04] Morning. Well, it's just time

[5:35:07] to celebrate. Good morning. All

[5:35:09] right. >> looked a little

[5:35:11] somber. It's time to celebrate.

[5:35:12] We've got a full house in here

[5:35:14] today. We have a lot of special

[5:35:16] guest appreciate each and every

[5:35:19] one of you for attending. We

[5:35:20] want to thank the honor guard

[5:35:22] and pipes and drums for their

[5:35:24] continued excellent

[5:35:28] presentation and entry into the

[5:35:30] graduation ceremony. >> like to

[5:35:32] also thank chief richardson,

[5:35:34] captain gordon training >>

[5:35:36] staff for your continued

[5:35:38] commitment to training not only

[5:35:40] for recruit training but for

[5:35:42] our incumbent training. And you

[5:35:44] guys do an excellent job every

[5:35:46] day and I know that the number

[5:35:47] of hours you put in cannot be

[5:35:49] counted. So thank you all for

[5:35:51] what you do to the family

[5:35:53] friends, thank you for your

[5:35:56] support of recruit class 134.

[5:35:58] Without you they wouldn't be

[5:36:01] here today without you they're

[5:36:02] not going to make it through

[5:36:03] their career. So please

[5:36:05] continue to support them on a

[5:36:08] daily basis as they MAY MISS

[5:36:10] Some holidays, they MAY MISS

[5:36:12] Some birthdays. They MAY miss

[5:36:13] some weekends because of the

[5:36:15] job but continue to support

[5:36:17] them every day. They're going

[5:36:18] to need you throughout their

[5:36:22] careers. Recruit class >> 134 I

[5:36:25] want to congratulate you.

[5:36:26] You're about to become a

[5:36:28] charlotte firefighter and

[5:36:30] that's a huge step forward

[5:36:31] personally and professionally.

[5:36:34] So I want to congratulate you

[5:36:35] when you walk across the stage

[5:36:36] you're going to get one of

[5:36:38] these books 20 sees the

[5:36:42] firefighter success and look

[5:36:44] through the chapters this week

[5:36:45] to figure out which one >> I

[5:36:48] was going to select. And in

[5:36:52] light of the ncaa, the ncaa

[5:36:54] men's and women's final four

[5:36:56] this weekend I picked champion

[5:36:58] mindset that's the chapter

[5:37:00] champion mindset and I know a

[5:37:03] few people >> are disappointed

[5:37:04] that their teams aren't in the

[5:37:07] final four but it's okay. It's

[5:37:09] very difficult >> to get there.

[5:37:11] Hopefully someone in his team

[5:37:13] is actually going to be playing

[5:37:14] this week and mine is not

[5:37:16] either so I'm okay with that.

[5:37:17] So let's talk a little bit

[5:37:20] about champion mindset. There

[5:37:22] are three essential elements to

[5:37:24] champion mindset a positive

[5:37:28] mindset, an unstoppable mindset

[5:37:30] and a competitive mindset. You

[5:37:32] need all three to be a champion

[5:37:35] in life >> in the fire service

[5:37:36] and in the charlotte fire

[5:37:38] department. A >> champion

[5:37:40] mindset means doing the small

[5:37:42] things right even when no one

[5:37:45] is watching. It means holding

[5:37:48] the line on your values even

[5:37:49] when it would be easier to

[5:37:52] bend. It means >> understand

[5:37:54] that success isn't built in one

[5:37:56] big moment but is built in a

[5:37:58] thousand quiet decisions to

[5:38:02] keep going and keep improving.

[5:38:03] There's a couple >> of quotes I

[5:38:05] want to read on this book that

[5:38:09] I truly like. In >> order to

[5:38:12] become the top 1% you >> must

[5:38:15] do more than the other 90% will

[5:38:17] not say that again in order to

[5:38:20] become the top 1% you must do

[5:38:25] what the other 99% won't do.

[5:38:29] Last quote. >> our attitude is

[5:38:31] a choice a choice that we make

[5:38:33] every single day when we wake

[5:38:36] up and get out of the bed. Our

[5:38:37] attitude determines our

[5:38:39] thoughts. Our thoughts

[5:38:42] determine our behavior. Our

[5:38:43] behavior determines our

[5:38:46] actions, our actions determine

[5:38:49] the outcome. So recruit class

[5:38:52] one >> 34 choose to start every

[5:38:54] single day with a great

[5:38:58] attitude every single day. >>

[5:39:00] so take this champion mindset

[5:39:01] with you. You've already

[5:39:03] exhibited that to be at this

[5:39:05] point right now by the way.

[5:39:07] Show up even when it's hard.

[5:39:09] Prepare even >> when no one

[5:39:12] notices. Lead even when no one

[5:39:14] asks you to lead and when your

[5:39:17] moment comes because it will

[5:39:21] step forward not back. Recruit

[5:39:24] class >> 134 maintain your

[5:39:25] champion mindset throughout

[5:39:27] your career and you will have a

[5:39:29] long successful career in the

[5:39:32] charlotte fire department. As

[5:39:33] >> you leave here today I want

[5:39:34] you to meet the mission of the

[5:39:37] department on a daily basis.

[5:39:39] Wear the patch with pride. Live

[5:39:42] the values of our department.

[5:39:44] Excellence. Ownership. >>

[5:39:45] professionalism and

[5:39:48] perseverance every day on duty

[5:39:50] and off duty. Be the champion

[5:39:52] of our department and our

[5:39:55] community. And always exhibit

[5:39:57] service before self.

[5:39:59] Congratulations. Recruit class

[5:40:01] 134 and welcome to the

[5:40:02] charlotte fire department

[5:40:13] family. Thank you. >> thank

[5:40:15] you, chief johnson. Behind

[5:40:18] every successful recruit class

[5:40:20] >> stands a training officer >>

[5:40:22] whose responsibility is shaping

[5:40:24] the next >> generation of

[5:40:26] firefighters. These officers

[5:40:29] spend long days making sure

[5:40:31] every detail of training runs

[5:40:33] smoothly guiding recruits not

[5:40:35] only as a supervisor but as a

[5:40:38] mentor and a role model >> for

[5:40:40] class 134. That leader is

[5:40:43] captain alex gordon, a two time

[5:40:45] graduate of the university of

[5:40:47] north carolina at charlotte.

[5:40:48] Captain gordon served as a

[5:40:50] firefighter in shelby, north

[5:40:51] carolina before joining the

[5:40:54] charlotte fire department on

[5:40:56] SEPTEMBER 16th, 2013 as a

[5:41:00] member of a recruit class 91.

[5:41:01] For the majority of his career

[5:41:02] he has worked in special

[5:41:05] operation assignments. Alex was

[5:41:06] promoted to captain in MAY of

[5:41:08] 2020 and was assigned as a

[5:41:10] training officer in MARCH of

[5:41:13] 2024. In addition to serving as

[5:41:15] a recruit training officer, he

[5:41:17] coordinates all professional

[5:41:19] development programs. His

[5:41:20] commitment to excellence

[5:41:21] continues to shape the

[5:41:23] department's future by

[5:41:26] impacting both new recruits and

[5:41:28] our future officers. Please

[5:41:29] welcome to the stage the

[5:41:31] recruit training officer for

[5:41:36] class 134 alex gordon >>

[5:41:57] . >> good morning again. So

[5:41:59] I've got a long list of thank

[5:42:01] you's to get through. And then

[5:42:02] a few remarks to the class and

[5:42:03] then I'm going to give away a

[5:42:05] couple of awards to top

[5:42:09] performers and academics and

[5:42:11] physical fitness. But >> i

[5:42:12] would not be here today. We

[5:42:13] would not be here today with

[5:42:15] groups of people that I'm going

[5:42:18] to mention because that list is

[5:42:20] so long. So again for a special

[5:42:22] guest that were mentioned early

[5:42:23] early on, I would like to thank

[5:42:25] you for your attendance today

[5:42:26] and your support of the

[5:42:26] charlotte fire training

[5:42:28] division. It's greatly

[5:42:30] appreciated. Chief johnson >>

[5:42:32] and command staff, thank you >>

[5:42:34] for your attendance again and

[5:42:35] your support. I went back and

[5:42:36] counted since my appointment

[5:42:39] here in FEBRUARY of 24 we have

[5:42:41] graduated 180 recruits counting

[5:42:44] those seated out here. So we

[5:42:46] have stuff on around the clock

[5:42:47] and y'all's all in support

[5:42:50] helps us with that in total for

[5:42:51] these groups of people that I

[5:42:52] mentioned that impact recruit

[5:42:54] training I went back and

[5:42:55] counted that open my estimates

[5:42:57] probably short but it looks

[5:43:00] like about 75 to 100 people at

[5:43:01] any point in time will have

[5:43:03] face time with the recruits or

[5:43:06] impact something that directly

[5:43:07] has meaning to them whether

[5:43:09] it's payroll uniforms, things

[5:43:10] like those things of that

[5:43:12] nature. So again for that

[5:43:13] reason I'm not going to try to

[5:43:15] mention everyone but I'm going

[5:43:16] to try to get to the other

[5:43:18] group. So for training >> staff

[5:43:20] battalion chief fitzgerald and

[5:43:22] clymer, thank you for assisted

[5:43:23] me in the planning and

[5:43:24] gathering and all the things

[5:43:25] that I need to do for as a

[5:43:28] recruit training officer. This

[5:43:30] includes members of the staff

[5:43:31] that transferred out and we've

[5:43:32] had a few that we've either

[5:43:33] transferred out or gotten

[5:43:35] promoted during this timeframe.

[5:43:36] so I want to include those as

[5:43:39] well for recruit training >> we

[5:43:41] use a large cache of adjunct

[5:43:42] instructors that are employed

[5:43:43] by the community college on

[5:43:45] their days off but that means

[5:43:46] they're giving up time away

[5:43:47] from what would otherwise be

[5:43:48] time off from the fire

[5:43:50] department to be here and teach

[5:43:52] recruits. So they're taking

[5:43:54] time and dedication to be with

[5:43:56] the recruits on those days and

[5:43:58] while while they're also

[5:43:59] teaching the skills and the

[5:44:01] topics that they had been hired

[5:44:03] to teach, they are also showing

[5:44:05] positive leadership in what it

[5:44:06] means to be a charlotte

[5:44:07] firefighter and are free to

[5:44:09] thank you to those adjunct

[5:44:10] instructor their willingness to

[5:44:13] help. For some of you who MAY

[5:44:14] not know and it's in its I

[5:44:15] sustain all the job injury

[5:44:17] about a week and a half before

[5:44:19] the class started which means

[5:44:21] the conduct for the way this

[5:44:22] class ran was a little bit

[5:44:23] unconventional in that the

[5:44:24] instructors and the training

[5:44:26] staff had to step up in a more

[5:44:28] active role and support me in

[5:44:29] doing things that I was not

[5:44:31] physically able to do. So thank

[5:44:33] you again for the staff and

[5:44:34] that drove instructors in the

[5:44:35] room that were able to help me

[5:44:36] accomplish that and being

[5:44:39] flexible with my needs. I also

[5:44:41] want to staff that don't get

[5:44:43] mentioned a lot. We have some

[5:44:44] civilian employees that are the

[5:44:45] silent heroes. I like to call

[5:44:46] them the silent heroes here at

[5:44:50] the training academy they do

[5:44:50] what would seem to be

[5:44:52] background jobs making sure the

[5:44:54] building gets maintained,

[5:44:55] record keeping things of that

[5:44:57] nature. But they keep us on our

[5:44:59] task to accomplish everything

[5:45:00] that we need to do. So thank

[5:45:02] you for those folks that keep

[5:45:05] those things going. And lastly,

[5:45:06] he's not on stage. He's hiding

[5:45:07] back here in the hole. But I'd

[5:45:09] like to thank chief richardson

[5:45:10] for allowing me to be a recruit

[5:45:12] training >> officer and to have

[5:45:14] the opportunity to pilot now to

[5:45:16] recruit classes and there's a

[5:45:18] second part to that that I

[5:45:20] think I don't want to lose the

[5:45:21] point that I'm trying to make

[5:45:23] but it would have been very

[5:45:25] easy given the circumstance of

[5:45:27] my injury to yank the

[5:45:28] opportunity to have a second

[5:45:31] class. So I appreciate you

[5:45:34] having the confidence in me and

[5:45:36] being able to pull this off in

[5:45:39] light of that. So thank you.

[5:45:41] Lastly, I'd be remiss there are

[5:45:42] only a few folks from my

[5:45:43] personal family here in

[5:45:44] attendance. My dad was

[5:45:45] mentioned earlier and my wife

[5:45:48] macy my wife and I have two

[5:45:49] boys elliot kept and who are

[5:45:50] not in the team that's their

[5:45:53] 70. Bob macy is supportive and

[5:45:54] has always been supportive of

[5:45:56] my career choice to being a

[5:45:58] firefighter first and then the

[5:45:59] decision to come down here be a

[5:46:01] training officer which included

[5:46:03] a schedule change and

[5:46:07] commitment. So obviously having

[5:46:08] the commitment of a recruit

[5:46:10] class is an increased workload

[5:46:11] and can be a stressor at times.

[5:46:13] So thank you for your support

[5:46:16] and the dad is a retiree in the

[5:46:17] fire department. He also spent

[5:46:18] time as both the training

[5:46:19] officer and the chief of

[5:46:21] training. He also had to

[5:46:22] recruit classes for crew

[5:46:25] classes 56 and 60. He was

[5:46:26] promoted to deputy chief in

[5:46:28] 2015 and one of the things that

[5:46:29] sticks out from my young

[5:46:31] development as a as a young

[5:46:32] firefighter we were involved

[5:46:33] together in the volunteer

[5:46:36] service and he told me one time

[5:46:37] that being involved in fire

[5:46:39] department special operations

[5:46:40] and fire service training

[5:46:41] proved beneficial for his

[5:46:43] professional development and I

[5:46:44] agree I think he's done the

[5:46:46] same for me. So appreciate your

[5:46:50] mentorship. So that is the list

[5:46:52] of thank you so my short

[5:46:55] comments to the class >> it's

[5:46:57] ironic that chief johnson and I

[5:46:58] didn't talk but he brought up

[5:46:59] the core values of the fire

[5:47:00] department. So this is the

[5:47:02] first time I think dana tell me

[5:47:03] if I'm wrong that we've

[5:47:04] included the core values. If

[5:47:05] you look on the back of your

[5:47:07] program, those four core values

[5:47:09] are listed again. So I want to

[5:47:11] I'm speaking to one in

[5:47:12] particular and that is

[5:47:14] perseverance. So it's going to

[5:47:15] be a little bit of cliche. I'm

[5:47:17] going to read the dictionary

[5:47:18] definition of person

[5:47:19] perseverance out of merriam

[5:47:21] webster but it says continued

[5:47:23] effort to do or achieve

[5:47:25] something despite difficulties,

[5:47:27] failures or opposition. But

[5:47:28] when we apply that to the

[5:47:29] context of this fire department

[5:47:31] I can shorten it up for you

[5:47:33] when things are hard we're not

[5:47:36] going to quit or we don't quit.

[5:47:37] The reason we don't quit is for

[5:47:38] charlotte firefighters is not

[5:47:39] that we don't but we actually

[5:47:42] can't we cannot afford to quit.

[5:47:43] You >> all have seen examples

[5:47:44] of this and each other over the

[5:47:46] last 27 weeks which is some

[5:47:47] things that have already been

[5:47:48] mentioned and will be mentioned

[5:47:50] like pushing through the skills

[5:47:51] when they were a challenge

[5:47:53] overcoming fears and maybe it

[5:47:55] could be as simple as getting

[5:47:56] up out of bed and showing up to

[5:47:57] work that day when you get in.

[5:47:59] Otherwise feel like it. And I

[5:48:01] would also like to think given

[5:48:01] the circumstances with my

[5:48:03] andrew you maybe learned a

[5:48:05] thing or two for that as well.

[5:48:06] But the reason why perseverance

[5:48:08] is an important core value is

[5:48:10] simple not pushing through does

[5:48:11] not only mean that the task

[5:48:14] doesn't get complete which is

[5:48:16] again is not an option and I

[5:48:17] told you that the first time we

[5:48:18] met the first week of recruit

[5:48:20] school but nothing is really

[5:48:22] optional in our job. So not

[5:48:23] only is being are things not

[5:48:24] optional and recruit school

[5:48:26] they're not optional. Once you

[5:48:27] get out to the street we have

[5:48:29] to perform those functions. So

[5:48:30] whether the example is

[5:48:31] searching for victims at a

[5:48:33] motel on fire on the second air

[5:48:35] cylinder or doing cpr at 5:00

[5:48:37] in the morning on a patient

[5:48:38] when you haven't seen the bad

[5:48:40] all night you have to push

[5:48:42] through and deliver the service

[5:48:44] at the level you were trained.

[5:48:45] Subpar service is not allowed

[5:48:46] at any point in time when it's

[5:48:48] 5 to 4 lives hang in the

[5:48:49] balance when your performance

[5:48:50] and the people in the city are

[5:48:51] paying you for your very best

[5:48:53] performance every day, every

[5:48:55] minute of your shift. If you

[5:48:56] apply that same mindset to

[5:48:57] everything else you do in your

[5:48:58] career then you will be

[5:49:00] successful because failure will

[5:49:02] not be an option. I wish you

[5:49:03] all the best and I'll do

[5:49:05] anything for you in the future.

[5:49:17] Good luck. Thank you. So at

[5:49:18] this time I'm going to present

[5:49:21] two awards. The first one is

[5:49:22] not going >> to be much of a

[5:49:24] shock to the class based on the

[5:49:26] state of performance throughout

[5:49:28] this firefighter or soon to be

[5:49:29] firefighter came in very

[5:49:31] prepared for in the physical

[5:49:34] fitness realm of and I believe

[5:49:36] made a perfect score on his

[5:49:39] last test. So >> the recruit

[5:49:40] receiving the physical fitness

[5:49:42] award for recruit class 134 is

[5:49:49] recruit tell them >>

[5:50:10] the second award is based on

[5:50:12] academic test taking some

[5:50:13] recruits take multiple chapter

[5:50:14] test in the firefighting

[5:50:15] subjects and multiple

[5:50:18] certification tasks throughout

[5:50:21] the program to one obviously >>

[5:50:22] accomplish the need for

[5:50:25] certifications for a training

[5:50:27] standpoint but we also rank

[5:50:29] them based on their scores and

[5:50:30] this year or in this class in

[5:50:33] this example the top 1 or 2

[5:50:35] were separated by 9/100 of a

[5:50:37] point. So it's very tight and I

[5:50:38] would go to say you could

[5:50:39] probably throw a blanket over

[5:50:40] the top half of the rest of the

[5:50:42] class two was very close. So >>

[5:50:43] the recruit that finished

[5:50:45] number one academically in

[5:50:47] recruit class 134 was robert

[5:50:52] kids >>

[5:51:17] every recruit class is

[5:51:19] typically designated either

[5:51:20] self elected or appointed by

[5:51:22] the recruit training officer a

[5:51:24] class PRESIDENT To help with

[5:51:25] the first line communication

[5:51:27] between the supervisor to class

[5:51:29] to streamline two things I was

[5:51:31] very fortunate in the picked up

[5:51:33] the classmate and you're about

[5:51:36] to meet him in that he handled

[5:51:38] a lot of things for me and kept

[5:51:39] that communication moving

[5:51:40] whether it be group text or

[5:51:42] telephone free or whatever they

[5:51:43] have set up I don't even know

[5:51:44] because I just went through

[5:51:46] him. But at this time PRESIDENT

[5:51:47] Billy star is going to come to

[5:51:48] the stage and get his

[5:51:52] presidential >> speech

[5:52:15] . Should have made the print

[5:52:19] bigger. Good morning. I first

[5:52:21] want to thank chief johnson and

[5:52:23] the command staff of the

[5:52:24] charlotte fire department.

[5:52:26] Thank you for your thank you

[5:52:29] for setting the standard and we

[5:52:31] now expect it uphold to serve

[5:52:33] >> the citizens of charlotte

[5:52:34] and >> thank you to chief

[5:52:36] richardson and the training

[5:52:39] staff. You didn't just >> teach

[5:52:41] us skills you built discipline,

[5:52:42] accountability and a standard

[5:52:43] we will carry it for the rest

[5:52:45] of our careers. And captain

[5:52:47] gordon, thank you. You set the

[5:52:50] tone, you held the line and you

[5:52:54] made sure we earned this >> to

[5:52:55] >> our family and friends.

[5:52:57] Thank you. You carried us

[5:52:59] through the early mornings, the

[5:53:01] mom days and the weight of this

[5:53:03] process this moment belongs to

[5:53:06] you also our class came from

[5:53:08] different backgrounds that

[5:53:11] didn't matter. What mattered

[5:53:13] was earning it. This academy

[5:53:16] tested us physically, mentally

[5:53:18] and emotionally. It forced >>

[5:53:21] us to find out who we are when

[5:53:24] things get hard. It taught us

[5:53:27] this >> this job is not about

[5:53:29] the individual. It's about the

[5:53:32] team. It's about trust. Trust

[5:53:34] that the person next to you

[5:53:35] will do their job when it

[5:53:38] matters most. That's what we

[5:53:41] built to >> my class. I'm proud

[5:53:43] of you. We came in as

[5:53:46] individuals. Today we leave as

[5:53:48] firefighters. But this isn't

[5:53:50] the finish line. This is the

[5:53:53] starting point. Now we step

[5:53:54] into the firehouses of the

[5:53:56] charlotte fire department where

[5:53:59] standards don't drop. It gets

[5:54:02] higher and we will meet it

[5:54:04] because we understand what this

[5:54:06] badge means. It means >>

[5:54:08] showing up when others can't.

[5:54:10] Standing firm when things go

[5:54:13] bad and carrying the trust of

[5:54:15] the people we serve. So stay

[5:54:18] humble, stay ready, stay

[5:54:20] disciplined and never forget

[5:54:22] what it took to get here.

[5:54:25] Congratulations. Now let's go

[5:54:35] to work. Thank you. Charlotte

[5:54:36] >> fire department has a

[5:54:39] tradition for recruit academies

[5:54:40] to present a plan to the

[5:54:42] training academy at this time

[5:54:43] I'd like to present chief

[5:54:45] richardson and chief gordon >>

[5:54:49] with class 134 black >>

[5:55:21] and now I present class 130

[5:55:24] four's class video and thank

[5:55:27] you ladies and gentlemen

[5:59:52] and now >>

[6:02:59] we

[6:03:23] we will >> now conduct a

[6:03:25] presentation of badges. So I

[6:03:27] asked the command staff to join

[6:03:29] captain gordon and I on the

[6:03:35] stage >> class 134 prepare for

[6:03:39] the presentation of badge >>

[6:04:05] jake ash pinning jake's badge

[6:04:07] is his father retired engineer

[6:04:12] mike ash recruit class 39 >>

[6:04:59] I >>

[6:05:10] jaden cam pinning jaden's badge

[6:05:13] is his brother captain roshan's

[6:05:16] springs tower 18 a shift

[6:05:23] recruit class 63 >>

[6:05:42] male

[6:06:18] joseph karnes >>

[6:06:36] wants >> to join

[6:06:56] norman chatman >>

[6:07:33] landon dibble

[6:08:05] nicholas ends major >>

[6:08:44] colin >> kennedy

[6:09:13] robert koch

[6:09:53] . >> taylor moore pinning

[6:09:54] taylor's badge is his

[6:09:56] stepfather retired captain mark

[6:10:01] ballou recruit class 50 >>

[6:10:27] see

[6:10:56] eric proche >>

[6:11:30] kennedy rowland

[6:11:46] worked for

[6:12:12] cole shaw going

[6:12:35] so leah sinclair

[6:13:07] yeah >> william starr

[6:13:40] but celia's been a kid is >>

[6:14:23] dylan wilson >> pinning >>

[6:14:24] dylan's badge as his father

[6:14:26] retired captain brian wilson

[6:14:33] recruit class 38 >>

[6:15:31] first class 134 the first place

[6:15:40] to go >> at this time I ask all

[6:15:41] sworn members of the charlotte

[6:15:44] fire department both active and

[6:15:46] retired to please stand. Chief

[6:15:47] johnson will administer the

[6:15:59] oath of right recruit >> class

[6:16:01] 134 raise your right hands and

[6:16:04] repeat >> after me I state your

[6:16:05] name do solemnly swear or

[6:16:10] affirm >> I >> swear on my

[6:16:13] honor as a member my daughter

[6:16:15] as a member of the charlotte

[6:16:18] fire department are calm and in

[6:16:20] the presence of these witnesses

[6:16:21] >> and in the presence of the

[6:16:23] officers I >> will dedicate

[6:16:27] myself to the task >> of

[6:16:29] minimizing the risk of fire to

[6:16:31] the past and minimizing the

[6:16:32] risk of fire and >> other

[6:16:35] hazards to life and property

[6:16:36] and other aspects of life. The

[6:16:38] property of the citizens of

[6:16:41] charlotte the and >> I shall

[6:16:45] always in all my actions always

[6:16:47] and all my actions keep >> the

[6:16:49] honor of the department your

[6:16:50] honor and the department, its

[6:16:52] officers and its members.

[6:16:54] that's all for today, senators.

[6:16:55] Foremost >> in my heart and

[6:16:58] mind. In my heart and mind you

[6:17:02] MAY lower your right hands.

[6:17:05] Yeah. I'm gordon. You MAY

[6:17:09] dismiss your class. Class 134

[6:17:12] about face. Please >> welcome

[6:17:13] and join in newest members of

[6:17:14] the charlotte fire department

[6:17:20] >>

[6:17:41] recruit class 134. You're just

[6:17:49] MISS. So this concludes the

[6:17:51] formal ceremony. Chief johnson

[6:17:52] and the command staff invite

[6:17:54] you to join them for a late

[6:17:55] reception immediately following

[6:17:57] as you exit the auditorium

[6:17:59] state of the rye until you

[6:18:00] reach the cafeteria. We're

[6:18:01] going to bring the class up on

[6:18:04] stage for a few photos. Thank

[6:18:08] you again for being with us

City Council Business Meeting on 2026-06-08 5:00 PM

Agenda

Transcript