BWC Video Release Today of CMPD Officer Arrest to Local Media Outlet
Published on June 24, 2024
Case Update: BWC Video Release Today of CMPD Officer Arrest to Local Media Outlet; CMPD Public Release Tuesday
Charlotte, N.C. – (Monday, June 24, 2024) – Today, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD) is releasing body-worn camera (BWC) video footage of a former CMPD officer who was arrested and charged with embezzlement to WSOC-TV after a judge ordered the release. The CMPD is not permitted to release this publicly until Tuesday, June 25, 2024, at noon, per the court order.
On Thursday, March 14, 2024, detectives with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department arrested CMPD Officer Henry Chapman six hours after a criminal investigation confirmed that Mr. Chapman stole property from an arrestee. He was charged with one count of Embezzlement. Immediately following his arrest, Mr. Chapman was placed on unpaid administrative leave. On Friday, March 15, 2024, Mr. Chapman resigned from his position with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department while under investigation by CMPD’s Internal Affairs Division. The Internal Affairs Division investigation has since concluded. As a result of the internal investigation, it was determined that Mr. Chapman had two sustained violations in this incident: Body-Worn Camera (BWC) violation and Conformance to Laws.
The investigation was completed by CMPD and turned over to the Mecklenburg County District Attorney’s Office for review.
Statement from CMPD Chief Johnny Jennings:
“The video shows a CMPD police officer committing a crime, stealing money from a person who was in his custody. Adherence to the law is an absolute for police officers. The actions of former Officer Chapman were a contradiction to what we stand for.
I want you to know the detectives and leadership acted quickly when this incident was brought to light. Both a criminal investigation and an internal investigation were launched immediately. Chapman was arrested less than six hours after the incident following a continuous investigation and was placed on immediate unpaid administrative leave. I commend those who took those allegations serious enough to fully investigate this case which led to the arrest of one of our own.
On March 15, 2024, the day after the incident, he resigned from his employment at CMPD. The criminal case is still pending.
This incident does not represent or define the men and women of CMPD who show up every day and night to serve our community. While one officer did violate his oath, thousands more are still here and stand strong on the oath they took. I commend them for their commitment to this department and to this city. I am proud to serve with them. And we are all proud to serve you.”
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Charlotte, N.C. - (March 15, 2024) – The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD) is conducting a criminal investigation that resulted in the arrest of CMPD Officer Henry Chapman, after an arrestee reported that an officer had stolen property from him. The incident happened Thursday, March 14, shortly after 4pm in the University City Division. Upon investigation, CMPD detectives arrested Officer Chapman who was charged with one count of Embezzlement.
CMPD Internal Affairs is conducting a simultaneous investigation. Officer Chapman is currently on unpaid administrative leave pending the outcome of the internal investigation.
Officer Chapman was hired on September 14, 2009, and is currently assigned to the University City Division.
Statement from Chief Jennings:
“This is deeply disappointing for our organization. We hold ourselves to the highest standards, and a violation of that trust is a serious offense. However, I want to assure the public that we take all allegations seriously, and we will not tolerate misconduct within our ranks. I’m proud that the supervisor and other officers on scene took immediate and decisive action to investigate the situation and determine that our officer needed to be arrested. No CMPD employee is above the law."
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