This past week Charlotte City Council decided to give the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department Chief a $300,000 bonus. Next week Council will select 100 lucky Charlotte Residents to pay the bill. Don't worry if you're selected you'll only have to hand over $3,000.00 of your hard earned pay check dollars.
This is because the City Council voted in closed session Monday night to preemptively settle a potential lawsuit by Johnny Jennings.
At the time, the two men were in a fight over whether CMPD officers should be allowed to wear outer carrier protective vests.
Jennings had not filed a lawsuit before the settlement was voted upon.
WSOC and Joe Bruno first reported on the closed session and settlement talks last week.
Jennings has reportedly said the disclosure of the text messages damaged his reputation and could have cost him future opportunities after he retired, according to people familiar with the issue.
Council members have discussed paying Jennings as much as $300,000.
A dispute after a tragedy
Last year, Bokhari wanted Jennings to allow officers to wear outer-carrier vests that could provide them more protection. Bokhari had pushed for the vests for roughly two years, but he ramped up his pressure campaign on the chief after a wanted man shot eight law enforcement officers who were trying to serve a warrant in east Charlotte. Four were killed, including one CMPD officer, in the deadliest day in Charlotte’s law enforcement history.
The vests — which feature pockets for ammunition and other gear, similar to soldiers’ battle dress — were already used by units like SWAT and vice officers.
But Jennings said at the time the vests wouldn’t necessarily offer any additional protection, noting that three of the officers killed in April had been wearing them. He also said it was a “military-style appearance that contradicts the community-oriented policing philosophy I have championed for years.”
That prompted Bokhari to increase public and private pressure against the chief, culminating in a series of private text messages in which Bokhari told Jennings he would be demanding his resignation and "cripple his legacy."
In early July 2024, he texted Jennings that the chief had “made a terrible error in judgment, my friend. I hate what comes next.”
He continued: “As your friend, I want you to know what happens next. I’ll be demanding your resignation starting Monday. I’ll be hammering you from the press, the private sector, the foundations, the general assembly, congress and several high-profile national organizations.”
He said he would put maximum pressure on the city manager to fire Jennings.
Bokhari acknowledged he might not win, but wrote: “I will not stop and it will cripple your legacy you’ve worked so hard for. Just a final bit of food for thought. You have 36 hours to call it all off by compromising in some small way. Otherwise it’s in God’s hands.”
In Charlotte’s form of government, council members are generally supposed to voice their concerns through the city manager, to whom nearly all city employees report. Council members only directly vote to hire or fire the city manager, city attorney and city clerk. And council members aren’t supposed to threaten to destroy an employee’s reputation.
Jennings and the city began negotiating a possible financial settlement weeks ago. Council members first discussed the issue during a closed session last week. That was first reported by WSOC.
Bokhari is no longer a City Council member. He resigned last month to take a high-level job at the Federal Transit Administration in the Trump administration.
Cedar's Take:
Bokhair is a pompous POS. Neither a friend to Charlotte or the GOP he is a hubris unengaged politician who deserves neither votes nor respect. Yes, he promoted outer carry vests but so did most of Charlotte. His legacy will be that he is a self serving idiot who quit the job he was elected to in favor of a federal gig while sticking Charlotte residents with an unnecessary $300,000.00 bill.
As for Jennings he is nothing but a race card playing yes man. He's also in it only for himself.
I have friends and family with CMPD who admit he's better than Rodney but worse than Putney. They also acknowledge he has the same MO of do nothing just collect the check as most large metro department chiefs out of touch with zero command presence.
Thin skin and little smarts, if JJ was had any sense he'd fill out a "hurt feelings report" and we'd just move on. Rather he's just jerk enough to take a check equal to pulling four seasoned officers off the streets pocket the money and expect it will be business as usual.
Seriously if JJ takes the check he's out in six months, but before you do your "happy dance" rumor has it that Anne Kirkpatrick of New Orleans has already expressed an interest.
Cedar Nobody respects JJ. They might say oh he's a good guy. But no one respects him. You're first in and he's got your six and you know if everything goes sideways he's your biggest threat. Odd are he'll shoot by accident before the perp fires the first shot.
ReplyDeleteCedar, as to your last paragraph if Anne Kirkpatrick has made overtures here the city of Charloot will probably hire her to show how very “progressive” they are. If so the CMPD is in more dire trouble than when Rotney was here.
ReplyDeleteSame nopd chief who had fault barricades this year leading to a mass casualty event? I can see why she wants to flee.
ReplyDeleteAt least their men ran in to help.
We get what we deserve
I assumed she was Afam, New aorkeans being chocolate city and all, but nope. Looks like Jennifer Roberts old tennis partner.
DeleteWonderful. And she hit a couple of pedestrians with her patrol car.
Perfect leader for this clown show. Huntersville is looking better every day.
Huntersville is still more retarded all around. Be even more embarrassed sport that uniform.
DeleteCMPD or Huntersville both embarrassing. They use Josh’s death to promote their agency while the same problems have existed for years. Plus, the friendly fire and cowardism that happened was covered up. Clear out the offices and answer the wreck reports under 2 hours.
ReplyDeleteAnything in mecklenburg is ass. Come to cabarrus
DeleteLeft the department years ago. Spent 7 years working for the state and then 5 for the feds. A lot of travel but now retired and still have enough years left in me to enjoy life. Jennings is a clown who rode the DEI train to the last stop. Someone needs to kick his ass off it is time.
ReplyDeleteLeft the department 7 years ago but still in this thread
DeleteI wonder how many “closed door” meetings have resulted in city “leaders” collecting a fat 6 figure check that no one is supposed to know about. Say, where is this slush fund kept anyway? Is that part of our 1.5% raise? Will CMPD only get 1.35% this year?
ReplyDeleteJackie Bryley is up next men and women. Be prepared.
ReplyDeleteThey can’t make Zeru be the chief because he’s been to jail. They can’t go outside to hire because the dirty cover ups at the department. Stella will not come back here.
DeleteBryley is the only person dumb enough to take this job. School cop to chief and many jobs in between. We have 15 people in the academy which is a bigger problem than a new black face on TV. The morale is low and the energy levels are tanked. We have security guards blocking traffic which is technically illegal. We have embassadors answering 911 calls at apartment buildings. Calls are holding for 1 hour. We have AARP cops which is extremely unsafe. We have cowards signing off during a shooting and they still work here.
Most importantly..we have no trust from the public or coworkers.
Embassadors answering calls for service ? Explanation
DeleteJJ had put in his retirement papers when he was given the chief job. Surprised he’s stayed this long, and a mere shadow of officer he was 15+ years ago. He’s got a nice tax free bonus now… show him the door.
ReplyDeleteAll is jelly jj took da bag
ReplyDeleteProud of my man
Happy to be gettin my stripe real soon
thanx j I always got yo back
Shut up Courtney, no one asked you.
Delete