Five NC Police Officers Resign Amid Racist Text Message Probe

Five police officers with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD) have resigned following an investigation into allegations that they shared racist text messages. A police spokesperson confirmed the resignations to ABC News on Monday.

These five officers were among seven identified as being involved in the matter. A sixth officer, Jeremiah Todman, resigned in August during a separate probe, and a seventh officer remains suspended without pay pending a Civil Service Board review, according to the department.

The text messages, which included racial slurs, were reportedly discovered during an investigation into alleged misuse of Flock cameras by a former CMPD officer. Police Chief Estella Patterson stated during a press conference that the allegations are "deeply troubling" and expressed disappointment.

The department has launched an internal investigation and requested assistance from federal agencies to examine the "possibility of civil rights violations." Patterson indicated that if wrongdoing is confirmed, the department would seek to revoke the officers' North Carolina law enforcement certificates to prevent them from serving as officers elsewhere in the state or country.

CMPD released the names of the seven officers involved in the probe: Mateo Juarez, Joseph Kelly, Alexander Larsen, Tredan Maronic, Matthew Osborn, Jeremiah Todman, and Seth Elliot. Elliot resigned in August, and the other five officers under investigation resigned after being suspended without pay on October 9.

In a statement, CMPD emphasized its commitment to transparency and accountability, stating, "The department remains committed to accountability and providing access to public records in accordance with the law, while respecting the integrity of any ongoing investigations and potential legal proceedings."