Three Charlotte police officers resign over racist texts targeting Black residents

Three officers with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department resigned following an internal investigation that uncovered racist text messages allegedly targeting Black residents, WBTV reported. Police Chief Estella Patterson described the situation as "deeply troubling" during a briefing on October 15.

The investigation involved six officers in total. An independent chain-of-command board unanimously recommended termination for the three officers who have not resigned, a decision Chief Patterson supports. The Civil Service Board holds the final authority on termination of sworn members, Patterson noted.

According to sources who spoke anonymously to WBTV, the text messages included a contest among officers about who could pull over the most Black drivers and frequent use of the N-word in reference to using force against Black residents. Patterson said the messages showed racial, sexual, and religious biases.

Despite reviewing arrests, traffic stops, and body-worn camera footage, the department's investigation has not found evidence of specific targeting of Black drivers, Patterson said. The texts were discovered during a separate probe into misuse of the Flock network by a former officer, according to WBTV and ABC News.

Charlotte Mayor Robert Harrington released a statement expressing his concern and confidence in the police chief's handling of the matter. He emphasized that racism and bias have no place in the police department or the city and affirmed his faith in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department.

Chief Patterson said the department will seek to revoke the law enforcement certificates of the officers involved to prevent them from serving as officers anywhere in North Carolina.

What we're watching: The Civil Service Board's review and final decisions on the employment status of the remaining officers involved in the investigation.