us in the morning
the go ahead to get started.
>> how's everybody doing
tonight?
Listen, it's a friday night.
We got the weekend right in
front of us.
We're celebrating tonight.
>> how's everybody doing?
I'm loving.
My name is alex giles.
I'm an anchor over at wbz-tv
here in charlotte.
I've had the honor of serving
as the emcee for this event for
several years now and is
honestly one of my favorite
events to be a part of.
This is such a cool experience
to see the men and women who
serve our community get honored
in front of their loved ones,
their peers and some of the
elected leaders here in our
community.
I know we have ten winners
tonight but I also just want to
acknowledge all of the law
enforcement in the room.
Can we have a round of applause
for all of our our officers
this evening?
>> and I know these folks are
getting up whether it's in the
morning, the middle of the day
or the evening to protect and
serve and our folks who are at
home holding down the homefront
in some cases with kids or
family members or elders.
Can we also do a round of
applause for the folks who are
staying at home, the family
members?
>> it's a team effort right?
It's awesome when you guys are
acknowledged by your peers or
your bosses.
But I think what makes this
event special is that you're
literally acknowledged by the
community.
I know as a news reporter it's
nice to get that good job from
your boss.
That was a good story.
You did a good job with that.
But it almost means a little
bit more when somebody reaches
out and was like thank you for
doing that story.
The folks in my community
appreciated that story and I
know you guys can relate to
that because this is what that
is for you guys.
Somebody from the community
saying thank you for what you
do in my neighborhood.
Thank you for the initiative
you started in my community.
So it's really, really cool to
be here and it's awesome that
you guys are being honored
tonight.
At this time we'd like to start
with an invocation from
reverend sandra graber.
>> thank you.
If you're just back with me for
a minute, the dignity, the
understanding and the peace
reminds us of our mutual
respect and unity.
It makes us safer and stronger
throughout the generation.
The cross to remove the desire
to quit when it becomes
difficult.
Precious we are the strength
and like becomes difficult.
But these wonderful people are
allowed to go on in GOD we're
so grateful they are not
defeated.
The scourge I hope this they
remain in my they do not
shrink.
They do not back up.
And we are so grateful for
their continue to strengthen
them, continue to endure them,
continue to move their faith.
Faithfulness is developed when
we continue to obey everything
when the pressure is heavy and
they go through pressure but
GOD they know is only
temporary.
It's only discouragement is
never permanent.
The harvest year belongs to
those who refuse to give quit
when we're tempted to quit.
Instead of continuing we're
carry the cross across the
finish line.
In his name we pray.
Amy thank you, reverend.
>> at this time we want to
acknowledge some of the elected
leaders we have here whether
it's the city of charlotte,
mecklenburg county commission,
some other elected office.
If you're an elected leader,
please stand for just a moment
.
Vitiate them coming out.
I know it's a fun time of year
budget season right?
>> they're like oh yeah, okay.
>> we have a few people
delivering opening remarks
tonight including sam smith
junior who's the chair of the
community relations committee.
>> good evening everyone.
If you enjoy the food, let's
tell the chef you did your
thing.
>> I well, good evening.
My name is sam smith JR.
And welcome to the 46th annual
community relations award.
I'm honored to serve as the
chair of the
charlotte-mecklenburg community
relations committee.
And I would be remiss if i
don't honor my vice chair, MR.
Emmanuel maggard, who is in
here with us today because
tomorrow he he'll be walking
across the stage getting his
doctorate degree.
>> so solomon, it's a privilege
to gather here with you all
tonight for such a meaningful
celebration this evening
recognizes people who through
their actions show us what
partnerships truly look like.
>> tonight we recognize
officers who go above and
beyond the call of duty to
build bridges for problems
alongside residents and serve
with heart and purpose.
The nominations submitted from
across our community are a
powerful reflection of how
deeply this work is felt and
appreciated.
These awards are a reminder
that public safety is not built
by one group alone is built
through relationships,
listening, collaboration and a
shared commitment to the
well-being of our neighbors.
I want to extend gratitude to
the charlotte mecklenburg
community relations committee.
And at this time I ask if my
crt members that are in this
space with us today if you
could please stand and be
recognized.
>> I also at this time would
like to ask the planning
committee for today's festivity
if you all could please stand
and be recognized.
>> it's more than just MISS
Delores.
I MISS Debbie.
Oh.
I want to thank the planning
committee who was led by my
second mom, MISS Delores.
And when she call I have to
answer my phone no matter what
I'm doing.
I want to thank them for their
commitment each year to
ensuring that this event is a
success and throughout
dedicated community relations
staff.
If you all are in the room if
y'all could please stand.
I know you'll be recognized
gambo if you all could please
stand and be recognized to we
thank you all and we'll also
thank every everyone who took
time to nominate each of our
officers and to the
charlotte-mecklenburg police
department.
Thank you for your service,
your sacrifice and your
continued commitment to
protecting and serving our
community with professionalism
and care to all.
It's a nice nominees.
Congratulations.
Your work matters and does not
go unnoticed.
So tonight let's celebrate the
birth of your partnership looks
like in action.
>> thank you.
Thank you, sam.
>> sam, did you did you train
your daughter to record the
whole thing like that?
I'm going to look for that on
facebook later.
>> we'd like to call up james
smudgy mitchell the charlotte
city council.
He's currently our mayor pro
tem.
>> good evening, charlotte.
>> oh, wait a minute.
Wait a fourth.
These largest city in america
and that's how y'all will
respond.
Good evening, charlotte.
>> okay, that's a little
better.
Before I get started with my
remarks.
The theme is a team c mpd has a
team in the city council has a
team.
And I would like to introduce
one of my team members who is
here to see the council member
lawanda mayfield.
Please stand again.
You know I was going to call
you out.
Thank you.
The one and then I know we have
a former elected official who
used to serve in district two
and I always want to pay
respect.
Anybody who offered themselves
up for public service well, MR.
Al also please stand and be
recognized on behalf of the
charlotte city council and the
mayors office.
I'm honored to join you for
this special night to recognize
individual who represent the
very best in our city.
>> charlotte is now the 14th
largest city in the country and
we continue to grow, evolve
every day with that growth
comes both opportunity and
responsibility the
responsibility to ensure that
our city remains not just
bigger better but repeat to me
better a truly world class city
is defined not only by is
skyline or economic strength
but by trust, safety and
connection.
>> it's shared between us
people.
So that's why we're here
tonight.
We are here to recognize those
who go beyond the call of duty
to build relationships, foster
understanding and strengthening
the bond between law
enforcement and the
neighborhoods they serve.
>> public safety is at its
strongest when it's rooted in
partnership and those who we
honor tonight embody that
principle through they service
their compassion.
I'm sorry compassion and
commitment to charlotte.
>> please join me in
recognizing these outstanding
honorees your dedication helps
move charlotte forward and
bring us closer to the kansas
city.
We want to call home.
>> thank you and enjoy this
evening.
>> so I want to do a special
shut out so with all the cma
officers copd officers please
stand up at this time.
All officers here, all please
stand up.
That's right.
Let's show some love.
Charlotte thank you.
Thank you.
Mayor pro tem mitchell we also
have a representative from the
county elaine power of the
mecklenburg board of county
commissioners.
Thank you.
>> so all these extroverts are
coming up here but I am the
introvert and I want to tell
alex giles he was the first
reporter that I ever had to do
an interview with and I will
never forget it.
How kind he was.
so thank you for that.
Good evening.
I am mecklenburg county
commissioner elaine powell.
I represent huntersville
davidson, cornelius north
charlotte the area mountain
highland lake lake norman and
part of the catawba river.
So I've had lots of different
interactions with mpd on behalf
of my constituents especially
an e t j.
>> I have lived and worked in
every county district in the
county but I have the most
experience with north division
and freedom division.
And I'm proud to know that one
of our north division police
officers is nominated officer
blake is here nominated.
I hope he wins.
CHAIRMAN Jarell asked me to
give remarks and when he called
me I was so happy.
I said there's so many times
where I've been sitting in the
audience where I want to talk
to law enforcement too.
Thank you.
So I bring greetings from the
county commission and gratitude
it's and it's wonderful to be
here but I want to talk I'm
going to go way off script
because these are the things
that I wanted to tell you for a
long time.
So in the summer of 1993, john
burnett and andy nobles were
coming up and down the street.
They were community police
officers coming up and down my
street.
I lived in office central
avenue at that time in 1993.
John grew up across the street
and his baseball coach jimmy
edwards from gehringer high
school was my neighbor on the
other side so I could see into
the dining room of the
burnett's and I had jimmy next
door and the reason that john
burnett and nancy nobles were
coming up and down the street
that day was not for family.
It was for community.
They were coming to get some
old air conditioning units to
take to people that didn't have
air conditioning and then there
were children running up to the
police car that wanted to talk
to them and ask them what it
was like.
And I just remember the beauty
of that the beauty of community
police officers.
That was the summer of 1993 on
OCTOBER 5th I was standing and
in my yard when police officers
came to meet with his mother
and we knew something bad had
happened and for hours we
waited for tricia northcott to
show up.
I just knew it was bad and I
knew that the police officers
that were there and maybe some
of you here were there in our
house trying to comfort you and
without knowing what happened
we just knew it was bad.
And I remember like the grief
the grief of the family, the
grief that we felt the grief of
his baseball coach from
geringer high school it was
there every day and I would say
to tricia like what can I do?
You know, what can I do?
And she said never to go
anywhere without thanking a
police officer.
And so I have done that.
I want to thank you all like I
want you to feel it how
important your work is, how
noble the profession is, how
important it is to the
community.
>> and then the other story is
this year probably many of you
were there where we had a
regional simulated training
exercise at carolyn's.
I wanted to come to that
emergency management is a
passion of mine and when I was
watching from afar and it was
it was simulated so whoever was
there didn't have real weapons
.
But the first responders of all
the first responders in a
regional exercise was the mpd.
It gives me goose bumps now it
gave me goosebumps then I
needed some tissues.
I was standing next to former
chief putney.
It's breathtaking like to think
about what if this was real?
But in these instances where it
is real I love you guys like I
love that you're running toward
protecting us and so I don't I
could talk for such a long time
but I hope you feel it.
It is such an important noble
profession.
Thank you for what you do.
Sorry.
I'm kind of sorry but not sorry
for going off script because I
really want you to know and
feel my gratitude to every
person that wears the uniform
to every nominee and awardee on
behalf of mecklenburg county, I
want to congratulate you for
all your work you all represent
the best of our community and I
want to encourage you to take
care of yourself.
You will experience layers of
crisis and think that you can
handle it.
it's a lot.
And then there would be one
layer where it's too much so
however it is that you take
care of yourself whether it's
walking through nature or
talking to a friend please or
calling your county
commissioner like I will listen
I will walk with you whatever
it is please take care of
yourself.
Thank you to the community
relations board.
Thank you, chief patterson and
thank you to all the staff.
Thank you to the 911
dispatchers.
Just thank you to everyone.
Thank you for committing
yourselves to this noble work.
I feel the love of humanity for
you.
Thank you.
>> thank you.
Thank you, commissioner powell
.
>> at this time we want to talk
about the history of this award
ceremony and its significance.
I like to bring up delores reed
smith.
She is the chair of the police
community relations awards
planning committee.
Thank you all.
Good evening again and thank
you all for being here to
celebrate the incredible work
of our law enforcement officers
and the relationship they've
built across the community.
In 1979 the charlotte
mecklenburg community relations
committee created this program
to spotlight officers who go
above and beyond to foster
understanding and unity while
ensuring our safety.
>> the stories that we hear
when we interview these
officers is not the things you
see on tv where cpd is
concerned.
>> the noble things that they
do out of their own pockets to
benefit residents students and
schools is just amazing.
Since the awards programs
inception members of the
charlotte mecklenburg community
have nominated thousands of
officers and after this
evening's program we are
excited to add another group to
the more than 500 officers who
have been recognized with a
police community relations
award.
>> we'll everyone in the
building who's ever won this
award please stand now.
See I thought I was going to
have to call that deputy chief
riley for not standing up and
stuff because she know that's
one of mine so I can do that.
>> the officers nominated for
the 46th annual police
community relations awards have
showcased innovation in solving
neighborhood challenges and
have exemplified the true
spirit of community building.
Let's take a moment to
recognize all of the nominees
for this year's annual police
community relations award.
>> please stand if you were
nominated.
Thank you.
Through a very thorough
process, tonight's award
recipients have been selected
by our esteemed judges from the
charlotte mecklenburg community
relations committee.
Each recipient will be
recognized with a plaque and
receive a monetary award.
now y'all know every year I
tell you all about the little
part that you are supposed to
give to me out of that monetary
thing.
And so far I have not received
my portions.
As we get ready to announce the
award recipients, let's give a
round of applause to the family
,friends and community members
who took the time to support,
acknowledge and nominate these
exceptional officers.
>> your nominations feel this
celebration of service and
sacrifice.
I encourage you to keep shining
a light on the extraordinary
work happening in our
neighborhoods together.
We are stronger and safer.
Thank you.
>> thank you, delores.
>> at this time we want to hand
out our awards.
>> are y'all ready?
As delores mentioned, we only
have ten winners.
All of you should be proud and
we're all thankful for the
service you provide to this
community.
We have ten officers who have
won.
We have one youth award we're
also giving out tonight.
This time I believe delores and
sam are going to join us up
here to pass out the awards.
Here's how it's going to work.
I'm going to read through the
names for each officer who is
one going to read part of your
nomination what somebody from
the community wrote about you
and then I'm going to read what
you wrote about the profession
and why you think community
policing is important.
we're going to go through each
one by one when I call your
name and come up, get your
plaque, take a photo and please
stand here while I'm saying
nice things about you and smile
for our lovely photographer
here.
>> without further ado, our
first winner is officer anthony
mcgill from community services
.
This officer was nominated in
connection with their work with
the police activities league
and the work they do to build
trust and relationships with
the youth in fun encouraging
environments.
>> officer mcgill wrote police
community relations to me is
about intentionally building
and maintaining a bridge of
trust respect and understanding
between law enforcement and the
people we serve.
It goes beyond responding to
calls.
It's about being present,
consistent and genuine.
>> lee invested in the lives of
community members through my
work with powell.
>> I focus on creating
meaningful relationships with
young people and their families
following up showing up and
staying engaged so they know
they have someone they can rely
on by being approachable,
listening and leading with
integrity.
I strive to break down barriers
and replace uncertainty with
trust.
Strong community relations are
built over time through
authentic connections and I
take pride in being a positive,
dependable presence that helps
strengthen that bond.
Every day we have a round of
applause for officer anthony
mcgill.
>> I stay off to the side here.
See that's the bad thing about
being number one.
>> you got to wait for
everybody now and they stuck
you down there by yourself.
Our second winner tonight is
lieutenant reggie jenkins of
the east way division.
>> this officer consistently
demonstrates a strong
commitment to engaging with the
east way division community and
addressing resident concerns in
a proactive solutions oriented
way.
They regularly seek
opportunities to communicate
with residents and neighborhood
leadership, provide updates and
collaborate on safety
initiatives.
This officer demonstrates
consistent accessibility,
responsive ness and a genuine
commitment to building trust
and problem solving
partnerships with the community
.
This is what lieutenant jenkins
wrote.
He said to me community police
relations is about building
genuine trust through
consistent presence,
transparency and
accountability.
I currently serve as a
lieutenant in the east way
division.
I'm responsible for community
policing efforts.
My expectations are for the
officers under my command to
help bridge the gap between law
enforcement and the people we
serve by having an open line of
communication mutual respect
and consistent engagement.
I see it as creating
partnerships where community
members feel heard, respected
and safe.
>> engaging with officers.
Community policing is about
connecting with people and
working to solve problems
together.
>> congratulations lieutenant
jenkins.
>> I've seen him before in the
headquarters and I think he's
taller than me and it doesn't
happen often.
Our third winner tonight is
officer keyon harris, a school
resource officer.
You tell the kids you got
nominated for an award.
This officer has consistently
demonstrated professionalism.
Sound judgment and a strong
commitment to community safety
.
His presence has been
invaluable in situations that
require both firmness and
compassion.
He has shown the ability to
tactfully and prudently
de-escalate tense circumstances
ensuring that interactions are
handled with care while
maintaining the safety and
protection of everyone
involved.
This officer is respectful and
attentive in his approach and
those he serves.
He listens, communicates
clearly and treats community
members with dignity.
This is what he wrote for me
police community relations play
a very important role in
today's society.
i strongly believe that
officers should be in the
community developing positive
relationships by having
conversations with people,
going to community events,
getting out of the car and
walking the neighborhood,
speaking to the youth,
volunteering to coach etc..
>> you do a lot.
He said I do these things and
it builds trust within the
community and we all need that.
Police community relations also
deters crime while being
visible in the community police
community relations is why I
became a school resource
officer.
I wanted to help bridge the gap
between law enforcement and the
community.
Congratulations officer.
Our next winner tonight is
officer jasmine nevins of the
central division.
Unfortunately, she could not be
here tonight but we still
wanted to honor her and
acknowledge her.
We've got her picture up on the
screen.
She has helped strengthen trust
between the cpd and the
communities they serve through
sustained engagement,
transparency and responsiveness
through consistent presence at
community meetings, proactive
engagement with stakeholders
and a solutions oriented
mindset.
She has helped foster an
environment where residents and
neighborhood leaders feel heard
,respected and supported.
She wrote that police community
can be police community
relations to me means the
relationships I build and
foster between the police
department and the community.
These connections are essential
as they create trust,
understanding and collaboration
between both.
>> how about another round of
applause for officer nevins,
our fifth winner tonight is
officer samuel rouse of the
hickory grove division.
He's also getting an award for
best mustache tonight.
It's a good mustache.
>> this officer has
demonstrated a strong
commitment to building trust
and positive relationships
between law enforcement and the
residents he serves.
Through his approachable
demeanor and steady presence,
he has become a trusted
resource for both individual
residents and neighborhood
groups as he transition into
the role of community liaison
officer.
He quickly connected with our
neighborhood board meeting with
us to talk about meaningful
ways to improve communication,
connection, safety and security
within the community.
He wrote strong police
community relations are
essential to maintaining an
effective and trusted police
force, especially in today's
climate without strong police
community relations it is the
community that suffers.
Officers routinely rely on
information and cooperation
from the public to solve cases
and prevent crime.
Police work can sometimes be
difficult to watch and too
often the court of public
opinion is quickly influenced
by clickbait headlines or short
context free video clips.
A consistent and positive
presence within the community
can help counter the constant
flow of negative news and
highlight the many good things
officers do every day.
>> even the small acts that
often go on noticed.
>> congratulations officer.
And I do want to let you know
we're going to have this on the
news tonight and on the
news tomorrow morning because
the positive stuff does matter
as well.
And I know you all probably see
yourself in clips on the
news for the negative stuff
that happens.
>> but we want to acknowledge
the positive too.
>> congrats, man.
Mm hmm.
Our next winner is detective
joy emanuel of the metro
division.
Now when they gave this to me,
they put six nominations
specifically six nominations.
>> this officer embodies the
very essence of community
service that this recognition
celebrates.
For over a decade she has been
a beacon of compassion and
dedication and in our community
relentlessly working to forge
positive problem solving
relationships with residents.
Just name a few.
I've seen her quietly purchase
car seats and essential
supplies for pregnant
teenagers.
>> provide warm coffee for the
unhoused.
Buy groceries.
mentor to tutor and coach at
both phillip o'brien academy
and west charlotte high school.
>> and that is that's just a
snippet of it.
It was the longest one she
wrote the relationship between
law enforcement and the
community is incredibly
significant to me.
As a lifelong resident of
charlotte and a police officer
the past ten years, I view law
enforcement as a vital partner
and collaborator within our
neighborhoods.
The role extends far beyond
enforcing laws.
It requires professionalism,
building trust and working
alongside the community to
de-escalate situations and
solve problems all while
ensuring fairness and equitable
treatment for everyone.
My passion for service began as
a teenager when I volunteered
with the cbd community
engagement division and was
specifically inspired by
officers in ratliff.
Since then I have carried that
inspiration with me throughout
my career.
Every day presents an
opportunity to uplift the
community and even in
challenging moments I strive to
exemplify respect, integrity
and compassion.
Congratulations, detective.
And I like that you shout it
out the person who inspired you
because I bet in 1015 years I'm
going to be up here and
somebody might say the same
thing about you.
>> you're welcome.
>> our seventh winner tonight
is officer peterson jean of the
north division.
This officer has served our
school resource officer ranson
for two years and his impact on
our students has been
transformational.
He has built positive
relationships with our students
and staff resulting in
improvement in our school
culture and reputation.
Moreover, he has been an agent
of change by creating the
future young leaders club at
ranson.
A leadership and fitness
program for the kids.
Officer gene works with our f y
l students weekly helping them
improve their grades, their
self-esteem, fitness and
confidence.
Officer officer jean wrote I
come from a diverse background
that has allowed me to
experience many aspects of
life.
These experiences have given me
a unique perspective and
strengthened my passion for
supporting those in my
community.
Strong communities are built by
individuals who create
opportunities and support one
another.
This brings to mind the saying
quote it takes a village to
raise a child.
End quote.
That sentiment extends beyond
children.
It applies to all members who
are willing to contribute to
the village.
>> through these connections
I've gained valuable experience
forming partnerships and have
witnessed the positive impact
we can achieve together.
>> congratulations officer jane
.
Our eighth winner tonight is
officer antoine patterson.
We have officer patterson in
the house.
We're going to acknowledge him.
This officer was nominated in
connection with their work with
the citizens on patrol program.
It is a cool program or
community members help officers
with crime reduction and
community improvement.
He wrote to me community
policing means being present
involve and committed to
building those genuine
relationships with the people
we are sworn to serve as the
volunteer liaison for cpd.
I help on board individual who
want to contribute to our
community and support programs
like the mayor's youth
employment program where I work
with 16 to 18 year olds through
mentorship and internships.
One more round of applause for
officer antoine patterson.
>> we have two more left.
>> our ninth winner tonight is
k9 detective jonathan zadan of
the airport division.
Where's the dog?
>> not tonight.
>> I'm sure all that chicken.
>> this officer delivered an
engaging and informative canine
demonstration for a community
aviation program showing strong
commitment and professionalism
throughout.
He volunteered to present
during a weekday evening.
Communicated consistently
during the planning process and
even conducted a site visit in
advance to ensure a safe and
effective setup.
>> he repeated the presentation
for smaller groups tailoring
each session to the audience's
questions and engagement level.
>> you're all about the details
.
>> the first word that comes to
mind is impact.
This is what he wrote.
I believe you only get one shot
at a first meaningful
impression which will impact
that person's outlook on you
for the rest of their lives and
the lives of the other persons
involved.
The other part is follow
through.
Get the job done.
Do it right.
I am going into the job making
a conscious effort to be
positive.
Regardless of the outside
negative influences affecting
our society, I make sure I
acknowledge people as human
beings first.
A simple smile or had nod or
handshake.
My reputation in every
community I work in is very
important and I want the people
I serve to know when they say
my name.
>> they immediately say he is
one of the good ones.
>> he can be trusted.
He will get the work done and
do it the right way.
K9 detective jonathan sudan
congratulations to our final
officer winner tonight is
officer veronica cruz santos of
the community engagement unit.
This officer has consistently
shown her commitment to
building positive problem
solving empathy, active
listening and cultural
understanding, making youth
feel supported and seen her
presence as a latina officer
also serves as a powerful
example for our students many
of whom relate to her
background and leadership.
She is deeply involved in the
broader community.
Families often share that they
see her at neighborhood events
,school functions and local
gatherings where she continues
building trust through genuine
respectful engagement.
She wrote police community
relations means the public and
officers are able to
effectively work together
toward a common goal.
>> it allows a relationship to
be built and for both parties
to learn about one another.
It allows officers to learn
more about the people we serve
and protect while it allows the
community to learn more about
the officer or about the
department.
It allows the community to see
beyond the badge and the
uniform.
>> congratulations.
>> we have a round of applause
for our officers winning
tonight.
>> we're going to do our youth
winner and then we'll get a big
picture.
That sounds good.
We do have a youth award that
we wanted to acknowledge
tonight.
Delores hamrick she is not here
but I'm told she's got a good
reason.
>> she's a senior prom.
She feels like prom awards with
a bunch of older people.
Prom she goes to west charlotte
high school.
>> so she's a battalion
commander in the jrotc and a
student leader in sga.
She leads with integrity,
accountability and a strong
commitment to collaboration and
earning the respect of those
around her.
She's extensively involved in
programs such as right moves
for youth and young life.
And it reflects her dedication
to service and her ability to
build trust, uplift others and
foster positive relationships.
She was nominated for this
award in recognition of her
outstanding leadership service
and meaningful impact on her
peers and community.
Dolores hambrick, our youth
winner at this time as the
elected leaders want to get a
big picture if you guys don't
mind sliding over.
Oh, okay.
Okay.
>> she's getting complicated,
right?
No, no, no, no.
Thank you.
Have.
>> while they are doing that I
want to see something real
quick.
All the officers in the room.
>> do you mind raising your
hand?
>> who here has been a rcmp
officer for three years?
>> really?
Your hand up.
>> chief.
Don't go.
Don't make a run if you've been
an officer for seven years,
leave your hand on high.
>> been an officer for ten
years.
>> keep your hand up 15 20, 25
,30 ten.
Do we have a way to oh, do we
do we need to go until we get a
winner?
31.
>> chief are you still out of
you son?
>> congratulations.
How many years say did we.
Round of applause for that.
Oh.
At this time we'd like to call
up chief estella patterson of
the charlotte-mecklenburg
police department.
Thanks, malik.
Good evening, everyone.
>> my name is estella patterson
and always I say it is my
distinct honor and my pleasure
to serve as your chief of
police.
I'm not only the chief for the
officers but I am the chief for
the community.
I'm here to serve you.
And being here tonight just
looking around the room and
seeing all the nominees is all
those who receive the award
just warms my heart.
>> all week we have been
celebrating national police
week and we started the week
with a bicycle ride.
We had six or so of our
officers and community members
riding pedaling to dc in honor
of our fallen officers, our
brothers and sisters in blue.
>> and then we continue the
week with various events but
the most impactful events this
week have been the awards
ceremony that we did on
wednesday the command college
graduation on yesterday and
then tonight the awards the crc
awards because truly this is
what it's about and I think you
hit the nail on the head when
you said that many times things
are amplified that is negative
as it pertains to the police,
the community, the crime, that
kind of thing.
But every single day ten, 20,
30 times a day our employees
are doing magnificent things.
They do doing amazing work
every single day that you don't
hear about.
So tonight is that night to be
able to celebrate their
successes and hear their
stories and the things that
they're doing their community.
As the chief I'm extremely,
extremely proud.
>> and so I want to say to all
our awardees tonight thank you
for the work that you're doing
for all the nominees.
Thank you for the work you're
doing for my executive team
that's here.
Thank you.
I work you hard.
>> I know I do a stretch you
stretch.
You stretch you but you keep
showing up.
>> so thank you so much for
that.
And lastly I just want to thank
the crc for being such an
amazing partner always with us
always working with us.
Terry you and I have many
conversations.
You're always so gracious when
we talk about things.
So thank you so much to all the
crc for what you do and for our
community members who are here
among us.
We are here because of you.
It is our joy to serve this
community.
one of my pillars coming back
as the chief is that we will
make sure that we're building
stronger partnerships with our
community because we know when
the community is on our side
there's no limit in what we can
do to make charlotte the safest
city in the united states.
>> thank you all and have a
good night.
Thank you, chief.
>> to close us out, terry
bradley.
>> the city interim director.
Thank you, alex.
So commissioner powell, I know
you're feeling about all the
extroverts that have come up
and we're going to follow suit
so I get your pain.
So I'm supposed to close out?
And I want to at least make
sure that I do this and correct
fashion.
We've been doing this and I was
sitting here looking at this
sign up here and I believe
there was a one up here when I
first started in front of this
six.
So it's been a while for us to
have any celebrations 46 years.
>> as we close out the 46th
annual police community
relations awards, I want to
leave a few things for us to
reflect on.
>> tonight is not just about
recognizing outstanding
officers.
It's about celebrating trust,
partnership and collaboration
in the ongoing work of building
stronger relationships between
law enforcement and the
community we all serve.
The partnership between the
charlotte-mecklenburg community
relations and cpd has always
been rooted in collaboration,
communication and transparency.
When concerns arise in our
community we work together to
address them.
The same pd can't do it alone.
Community relations can't do it
alone.
And we've tried to create a
better path for for everyone
involved.
We remain committed to bringing
a community perspective that
helps strengthen outcomes,
improve relationships and build
bridges by listening.
>> at the same time, this
partnership is also about
recognizing and uplifting the
good work that we all do.
>> when I say that sometimes
there are opportunities where
the same pd can't tell the
story and I think that's where
we step in.
We're able to highlight and
uplift those stories.
The work that often goes unseen
.
Tonight we heard highlights of
meaningful work saying pd
officers do every day.
We wouldn't know about it and
the lasting impact it has on
our community members.
This event is an opportunity to
celebrate those acts of service
and connection.
I want to thank the many people
who made tonight possible.
Thank you to the city of
charlotte the elected officials
charlotte mecklenburg county
leaders and the elected
officials that are at hand.
Thank you to the community
relations committee.
>> again, let's give them a
round of applause.
>> I want to acknowledge our
community relations staff.
Could you guys stand again?
>> you guys can take a big deep
breath after this weekend.
I know there's a lot of work.
>> yeah, I mean they worked
tirelessly behind the scenes to
organize this event.
But a special thing too to
people I want to uplift today
and that's the laws harry smith
aka cookie and diamond davies
could you take us.
Diamond this is I think her
first year doing this event and
I think she did a phenomenal
job.
>> so let's give her a round of
applause.
>> thank you for your
leadership in planning and
coordinating this event.
Thank you to everyone who
submitted nominations and took
the time to recognize officers
making a difference in our
community.
Please encourage others in your
neighborhood to do the same and
networks to do the same in
nominations remain open all
during the year so you can
start nominating now.
And before I leave I'll close
with this little friday night
wisdom.
Remember to smile and I'm going
to look at all of you to the
person that has to make it can
be the difference between
staying here longer or getting
out a little bit early.
>> thank you all for being here
tonight and we look forward to
seeing you guys next year.
>> congratulations to the
winners.
I appreciate the opportunity.
Thank you guys all.
Congrats to our winners.
congrats to our nominees.
>> everyone have a wonderful
weekend.
If you want an award please
return to the front.
We're going to get a picture
forensic interview is a
specialized conversation with a
child. It's meant to elicit the
child's own statement about
something that a child has
witnessed directly or
experienced directly or
experience indirectly meaning
if they have been a victim of
any type of child abuse or if
they witnessed a violent crime
. >> my name is kelly wood. I'm
a director of response services
at pat's police child advocacy
center. We are part of a
multidisciplinary team of
professionals who work to
prevent, identify and combat
child abuse. At our center it
is the opportunity for children
and their caregivers to come
participate in a forensic
interview. They were receiving
early advocacy services. They
will also have an opportunity
on site to receive a forensic
medical evaluation and then
they family advocates will link
the child and the family to
therapeutic services to ensure
the integrity of the interview
to remove those influences.
It's just the forensic
interviewer and the child of
course unless the child needs
some type of communication
assistance. Child abuse can be
very scary, you know, as the
child experiencing and as the
parent learning about it.
Because usually the majority of
perpetrators who harm children
are known by that child in that
family. We are there to provide
care for children in the non
offending caregivers. Another
branch of pat's place is
linking parents community
members to trauma treatment.
Parents can absolutely call
directly and be connected to a
coordinator who can provide
those therapeutic linkages to
for crimes against children. We
investigate cases regarding
juvenile sexual abuse and
felony child abuse. So whether
it's rape anything that's for
sexual assault on a child we
focus on the ages of 15 and
under. This also includes
sexual exploitation. So that
can involve the possession of
pornography that can involve
influencing someone online to
send you messages that's
underage. The perpetrators try
to like manipulate them. They
will try to make the kids feel
like it's their fault, like
it's normal and it's not over
about 90% of the perpetrators
they are people that we're
close to. These like
individuals they try to become
very, very involved in like a
child's life. Children who are
possibly experiencing this
abuse start to have bedwetting.
Some of them are having trouble
with memory or they start to
lose the language that they've
already acquired. The fiscal I
think most of us can agree that
that's one of the most obvious
right? That's something that we
can see. That's something
somebody could say okay, well
this >> I'm reporting it
because I see this. A lot of
people they feel like they
cannot make our report to us
because it could be something
that happened 20 plus years
ago. But every single felony
that we have >> as far as like
child abuse, there's like no
limitations on that. I think
the field is very difficult to
work and it can be very
traumatizing but it's also
probably the most >> rewarding
one. So we are all mandated
reporters. They can just
contact law enforcement as one
of the easiest things we can
say. Social services they're a
great resource. Some people do
feel uncomfortable at law
enforcement. So reaching out to
that separate partner that we
have just advocating for the
children if it's nothing else
other than somebody checking on
that child, it's never a waste
of our time >> and.
I. >> welcome to the graduation
ceremony for a recruit class
134. My name's jeff richardson.
I'm the chief of training.
Please stand this class 134
enters the auditorium. Remain
standing for the presentation
of the colors the pledge of
allegiance and the invocation.
>> drop out of our control.
That. What we are
all about. Oh oh for more
on it. All right. Prepare for
both. Put. Present. Oh, I
pledge allegiance >> to I. No
matter what on earth. Oh.
Center right. For more >>
. At >> this time I asked
captain chad sullivan to offer
today's invocation. Good
morning, everybody. Let's bow
our heads to the lord's prayer.
Give thanks that only father
lord, we love you for so many
reasons so many blessings that
you continually give us lord
not just individually but as
families and as a whole. But
right now I'd like to take up
time to lift up this class and
this graduation. As they begin
a new season of life the
beginning of their career as a
firefighter institution, I do
ask that you cover them lord
with protection you most
certainly give them wisdom and
discernment to honor you in
their choices that they make
lord in their interactions >>
that you have with the
community and each other that
you would just give them >>
continued grace or we love you
for all you do. We most of all
love you for christ and we
didn't cross for our sins. Your
name is right. Amen. Please be
seated. >> so I would. Today's
a bit of a who's who in the
city and and in the fire
service. And we have a number
of guests joining us today, so
I'd like to recognize them
first for the charlotte city
council, we are honored to have
council member luana mayfield
with us today and we are so
grateful for your continued
support of the fire department.
Thank you so much for being
here. From the civil service
board we have the chairperson
MISS Crystal screen. Thank you
also for your continued support
of the fire department and for
being with us this morning.
Retired fire chief john hannan
is with us. Chief cannot serve
the fire department from 1978
until his retirement in 2017.
Chief it's an honor to have you
with us here this morning. >>
former chief of training and
retired deputy chief kevin
gordon is with us. Chief gordon
sir currently oversees all
certification and training
programs with the north
carolina office of state fire
marshal. Chief, thank you for
being here. Also kevin coots,
the chief engineer of the
insurance service office is
joining us today. His son
robert >> is among the
graduates I saw former chief of
train and retired division
chief lance >> folk earlier
along with retired division
chief. Thank neumann. It's good
to have you gentlemen with us
today. We depend pretty heavily
on a great partnership with the
local community college and our
from central piedmont community
college dean of public safety
luke sale in the back of the
room and also the fire training
coordinator louis mcswain. And
last but certainly not least
terry fox who serves as
chairperson of the north
carolina fire and rescue
commission certification board
. Thank you all for being here
today. Seated >> to my left is
the charlotte fire department
command staff deputy chief
jerry winkles is the chief of
operations. He manages 1100
sworn operations personnel and
the special operations
division. Deputy chief beau
fitzgerald is the chief of
personnel administration. He
oversees the training division
the health and safety division
recruitment and human resources
deputy chief >> white graham is
the chief of business
administration. He oversees the
office of emergency management
communications division, the
bureau of fire prevention, fire
investigation logistics and the
office of strategic planning.
Our speaker this morning is
fire chief reginal johnson. In
2018 after retiring as
assistant chief of operations
in fairfax county, virginia,
chief johnson was appointed the
fire chief for the city of
charlotte. Chief johnson also
serves as a commissioner of the
north carolina state emergency
response commission and holds a
master of science in emergency
management from the university
of maryland. Please join me in
welcoming fire chief reginald
>> johnson to the stage. >>
good morning, everyone.
Morning. Well, it's just time
to celebrate. Good morning. All
right. >> looked a little
somber. It's time to celebrate.
We've got a full house in here
today. We have a lot of special
guest appreciate each and every
one of you for attending. We
want to thank the honor guard
and pipes and drums for their
continued excellent
presentation and entry into the
graduation ceremony. >> like to
also thank chief richardson,
captain gordon training >>
staff for your continued
commitment to training not only
for recruit training but for
our incumbent training. And you
guys do an excellent job every
day and I know that the number
of hours you put in cannot be
counted. So thank you all for
what you do to the family
friends, thank you for your
support of recruit class 134.
Without you they wouldn't be
here today without you they're
not going to make it through
their career. So please
continue to support them on a
daily basis as they MAY MISS
Some holidays, they MAY MISS
Some birthdays. They MAY miss
some weekends because of the
job but continue to support
them every day. They're going
to need you throughout their
careers. Recruit class >> 134 I
want to congratulate you.
You're about to become a
charlotte firefighter and
that's a huge step forward
personally and professionally.
So I want to congratulate you
when you walk across the stage
you're going to get one of
these books 20 sees the
firefighter success and look
through the chapters this week
to figure out which one >> I
was going to select. And in
light of the ncaa, the ncaa
men's and women's final four
this weekend I picked champion
mindset that's the chapter
champion mindset and I know a
few people >> are disappointed
that their teams aren't in the
final four but it's okay. It's
very difficult >> to get there.
Hopefully someone in his team
is actually going to be playing
this week and mine is not
either so I'm okay with that.
So let's talk a little bit
about champion mindset. There
are three essential elements to
champion mindset a positive
mindset, an unstoppable mindset
and a competitive mindset. You
need all three to be a champion
in life >> in the fire service
and in the charlotte fire
department. A >> champion
mindset means doing the small
things right even when no one
is watching. It means holding
the line on your values even
when it would be easier to
bend. It means >> understand
that success isn't built in one
big moment but is built in a
thousand quiet decisions to
keep going and keep improving.
There's a couple >> of quotes I
want to read on this book that
I truly like. In >> order to
become the top 1% you >> must
do more than the other 90% will
not say that again in order to
become the top 1% you must do
what the other 99% won't do.
Last quote. >> our attitude is
a choice a choice that we make
every single day when we wake
up and get out of the bed. Our
attitude determines our
thoughts. Our thoughts
determine our behavior. Our
behavior determines our
actions, our actions determine
the outcome. So recruit class
one >> 34 choose to start every
single day with a great
attitude every single day. >>
so take this champion mindset
with you. You've already
exhibited that to be at this
point right now by the way.
Show up even when it's hard.
Prepare even >> when no one
notices. Lead even when no one
asks you to lead and when your
moment comes because it will
step forward not back. Recruit
class >> 134 maintain your
champion mindset throughout
your career and you will have a
long successful career in the
charlotte fire department. As
>> you leave here today I want
you to meet the mission of the
department on a daily basis.
Wear the patch with pride. Live
the values of our department.
Excellence. Ownership. >>
professionalism and
perseverance every day on duty
and off duty. Be the champion
of our department and our
community. And always exhibit
service before self.
Congratulations. Recruit class
134 and welcome to the
charlotte fire department
family. Thank you. >> thank
you, chief johnson. Behind
every successful recruit class
>> stands a training officer >>
whose responsibility is shaping
the next >> generation of
firefighters. These officers
spend long days making sure
every detail of training runs
smoothly guiding recruits not
only as a supervisor but as a
mentor and a role model >> for
class 134. That leader is
captain alex gordon, a two time
graduate of the university of
north carolina at charlotte.
Captain gordon served as a
firefighter in shelby, north
carolina before joining the
charlotte fire department on
SEPTEMBER 16th, 2013 as a
member of a recruit class 91.
For the majority of his career
he has worked in special
operation assignments. Alex was
promoted to captain in MAY of
2020 and was assigned as a
training officer in MARCH of
2024. In addition to serving as
a recruit training officer, he
coordinates all professional
development programs. His
commitment to excellence
continues to shape the
department's future by
impacting both new recruits and
our future officers. Please
welcome to the stage the
recruit training officer for
class 134 alex gordon >>
. >> good morning again. So
I've got a long list of thank
you's to get through. And then
a few remarks to the class and
then I'm going to give away a
couple of awards to top
performers and academics and
physical fitness. But >> i
would not be here today. We
would not be here today with
groups of people that I'm going
to mention because that list is
so long. So again for a special
guest that were mentioned early
early on, I would like to thank
you for your attendance today
and your support of the
charlotte fire training
division. It's greatly
appreciated. Chief johnson >>
and command staff, thank you >>
for your attendance again and
your support. I went back and
counted since my appointment
here in FEBRUARY of 24 we have
graduated 180 recruits counting
those seated out here. So we
have stuff on around the clock
and y'all's all in support
helps us with that in total for
these groups of people that I
mentioned that impact recruit
training I went back and
counted that open my estimates
probably short but it looks
like about 75 to 100 people at
any point in time will have
face time with the recruits or
impact something that directly
has meaning to them whether
it's payroll uniforms, things
like those things of that
nature. So again for that
reason I'm not going to try to
mention everyone but I'm going
to try to get to the other
group. So for training >> staff
battalion chief fitzgerald and
clymer, thank you for assisted
me in the planning and
gathering and all the things
that I need to do for as a
recruit training officer. This
includes members of the staff
that transferred out and we've
had a few that we've either
transferred out or gotten
promoted during this timeframe.
so I want to include those as
well for recruit training >> we
use a large cache of adjunct
instructors that are employed
by the community college on
their days off but that means
they're giving up time away
from what would otherwise be
time off from the fire
department to be here and teach
recruits. So they're taking
time and dedication to be with
the recruits on those days and
while while they're also
teaching the skills and the
topics that they had been hired
to teach, they are also showing
positive leadership in what it
means to be a charlotte
firefighter and are free to
thank you to those adjunct
instructor their willingness to
help. For some of you who MAY
not know and it's in its I
sustain all the job injury
about a week and a half before
the class started which means
the conduct for the way this
class ran was a little bit
unconventional in that the
instructors and the training
staff had to step up in a more
active role and support me in
doing things that I was not
physically able to do. So thank
you again for the staff and
that drove instructors in the
room that were able to help me
accomplish that and being
flexible with my needs. I also
want to staff that don't get
mentioned a lot. We have some
civilian employees that are the
silent heroes. I like to call
them the silent heroes here at
the training academy they do
what would seem to be
background jobs making sure the
building gets maintained,
record keeping things of that
nature. But they keep us on our
task to accomplish everything
that we need to do. So thank
you for those folks that keep
those things going. And lastly,
he's not on stage. He's hiding
back here in the hole. But I'd
like to thank chief richardson
for allowing me to be a recruit
training >> officer and to have
the opportunity to pilot now to
recruit classes and there's a
second part to that that I
think I don't want to lose the
point that I'm trying to make
but it would have been very
easy given the circumstance of
my injury to yank the
opportunity to have a second
class. So I appreciate you
having the confidence in me and
being able to pull this off in
light of that. So thank you.
Lastly, I'd be remiss there are
only a few folks from my
personal family here in
attendance. My dad was
mentioned earlier and my wife
macy my wife and I have two
boys elliot kept and who are
not in the team that's their
70. Bob macy is supportive and
has always been supportive of
my career choice to being a
firefighter first and then the
decision to come down here be a
training officer which included
a schedule change and
commitment. So obviously having
the commitment of a recruit
class is an increased workload
and can be a stressor at times.
So thank you for your support
and the dad is a retiree in the
fire department. He also spent
time as both the training
officer and the chief of
training. He also had to
recruit classes for crew
classes 56 and 60. He was
promoted to deputy chief in
2015 and one of the things that
sticks out from my young
development as a as a young
firefighter we were involved
together in the volunteer
service and he told me one time
that being involved in fire
department special operations
and fire service training
proved beneficial for his
professional development and I
agree I think he's done the
same for me. So appreciate your
mentorship. So that is the list
of thank you so my short
comments to the class >> it's
ironic that chief johnson and I
didn't talk but he brought up
the core values of the fire
department. So this is the
first time I think dana tell me
if I'm wrong that we've
included the core values. If
you look on the back of your
program, those four core values
are listed again. So I want to
I'm speaking to one in
particular and that is
perseverance. So it's going to
be a little bit of cliche. I'm
going to read the dictionary
definition of person
perseverance out of merriam
webster but it says continued
effort to do or achieve
something despite difficulties,
failures or opposition. But
when we apply that to the
context of this fire department
I can shorten it up for you
when things are hard we're not
going to quit or we don't quit.
The reason we don't quit is for
charlotte firefighters is not
that we don't but we actually
can't we cannot afford to quit.
You >> all have seen examples
of this and each other over the
last 27 weeks which is some
things that have already been
mentioned and will be mentioned
like pushing through the skills
when they were a challenge
overcoming fears and maybe it
could be as simple as getting
up out of bed and showing up to
work that day when you get in.
Otherwise feel like it. And I
would also like to think given
the circumstances with my
andrew you maybe learned a
thing or two for that as well.
But the reason why perseverance
is an important core value is
simple not pushing through does
not only mean that the task
doesn't get complete which is
again is not an option and I
told you that the first time we
met the first week of recruit
school but nothing is really
optional in our job. So not
only is being are things not
optional and recruit school
they're not optional. Once you
get out to the street we have
to perform those functions. So
whether the example is
searching for victims at a
motel on fire on the second air
cylinder or doing cpr at 5:00
in the morning on a patient
when you haven't seen the bad
all night you have to push
through and deliver the service
at the level you were trained.
Subpar service is not allowed
at any point in time when it's
5 to 4 lives hang in the
balance when your performance
and the people in the city are
paying you for your very best
performance every day, every
minute of your shift. If you
apply that same mindset to
everything else you do in your
career then you will be
successful because failure will
not be an option. I wish you
all the best and I'll do
anything for you in the future.
Good luck. Thank you. So at
this time I'm going to present
two awards. The first one is
not going >> to be much of a
shock to the class based on the
state of performance throughout
this firefighter or soon to be
firefighter came in very
prepared for in the physical
fitness realm of and I believe
made a perfect score on his
last test. So >> the recruit
receiving the physical fitness
award for recruit class 134 is
recruit tell them >>
the second award is based on
academic test taking some
recruits take multiple chapter
test in the firefighting
subjects and multiple
certification tasks throughout
the program to one obviously >>
accomplish the need for
certifications for a training
standpoint but we also rank
them based on their scores and
this year or in this class in
this example the top 1 or 2
were separated by 9/100 of a
point. So it's very tight and I
would go to say you could
probably throw a blanket over
the top half of the rest of the
class two was very close. So >>
the recruit that finished
number one academically in
recruit class 134 was robert
kids >>
every recruit class is
typically designated either
self elected or appointed by
the recruit training officer a
class PRESIDENT To help with
the first line communication
between the supervisor to class
to streamline two things I was
very fortunate in the picked up
the classmate and you're about
to meet him in that he handled
a lot of things for me and kept
that communication moving
whether it be group text or
telephone free or whatever they
have set up I don't even know
because I just went through
him. But at this time PRESIDENT
Billy star is going to come to
the stage and get his
presidential >> speech
. Should have made the print
bigger. Good morning. I first
want to thank chief johnson and
the command staff of the
charlotte fire department.
Thank you for your thank you
for setting the standard and we
now expect it uphold to serve
>> the citizens of charlotte
and >> thank you to chief
richardson and the training
staff. You didn't just >> teach
us skills you built discipline,
accountability and a standard
we will carry it for the rest
of our careers. And captain
gordon, thank you. You set the
tone, you held the line and you
made sure we earned this >> to
>> our family and friends.
Thank you. You carried us
through the early mornings, the
mom days and the weight of this
process this moment belongs to
you also our class came from
different backgrounds that
didn't matter. What mattered
was earning it. This academy
tested us physically, mentally
and emotionally. It forced >>
us to find out who we are when
things get hard. It taught us
this >> this job is not about
the individual. It's about the
team. It's about trust. Trust
that the person next to you
will do their job when it
matters most. That's what we
built to >> my class. I'm proud
of you. We came in as
individuals. Today we leave as
firefighters. But this isn't
the finish line. This is the
starting point. Now we step
into the firehouses of the
charlotte fire department where
standards don't drop. It gets
higher and we will meet it
because we understand what this
badge means. It means >>
showing up when others can't.
Standing firm when things go
bad and carrying the trust of
the people we serve. So stay
humble, stay ready, stay
disciplined and never forget
what it took to get here.
Congratulations. Now let's go
to work. Thank you. Charlotte
>> fire department has a
tradition for recruit academies
to present a plan to the
training academy at this time
I'd like to present chief
richardson and chief gordon >>
with class 134 black >>
and now I present class 130
four's class video and thank
you ladies and gentlemen
and now >>
we
we will >> now conduct a
presentation of badges. So I
asked the command staff to join
captain gordon and I on the
stage >> class 134 prepare for
the presentation of badge >>
jake ash pinning jake's badge
is his father retired engineer
mike ash recruit class 39 >>
I >>
jaden cam pinning jaden's badge
is his brother captain roshan's
springs tower 18 a shift
recruit class 63 >>
male
joseph karnes >>
wants >> to join
norman chatman >>
landon dibble
nicholas ends major >>
colin >> kennedy
robert koch
. >> taylor moore pinning
taylor's badge is his
stepfather retired captain mark
ballou recruit class 50 >>
see
eric proche >>
kennedy rowland
worked for
cole shaw going
so leah sinclair
yeah >> william starr
but celia's been a kid is >>
dylan wilson >> pinning >>
dylan's badge as his father
retired captain brian wilson
recruit class 38 >>
first class 134 the first place
to go >> at this time I ask all
sworn members of the charlotte
fire department both active and
retired to please stand. Chief
johnson will administer the
oath of right recruit >> class
134 raise your right hands and
repeat >> after me I state your
name do solemnly swear or
affirm >> I >> swear on my
honor as a member my daughter
as a member of the charlotte
fire department are calm and in
the presence of these witnesses
>> and in the presence of the
officers I >> will dedicate
myself to the task >> of
minimizing the risk of fire to
the past and minimizing the
risk of fire and >> other
hazards to life and property
and other aspects of life. The
property of the citizens of
charlotte the and >> I shall
always in all my actions always
and all my actions keep >> the
honor of the department your
honor and the department, its
officers and its members.
that's all for today, senators.
Foremost >> in my heart and
mind. In my heart and mind you
MAY lower your right hands.
Yeah. I'm gordon. You MAY
dismiss your class. Class 134
about face. Please >> welcome
and join in newest members of
the charlotte fire department
>>
recruit class 134. You're just
MISS. So this concludes the
formal ceremony. Chief johnson
and the command staff invite
you to join them for a late
reception immediately following
as you exit the auditorium
state of the rye until you
reach the cafeteria. We're
going to bring the class up on
stage for a few photos. Thank
you again for being with us