CMPD Officer’s Social Media Posts Under Investigation
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CHARLOTTE, NC – WCCB Charlotte is learning more about the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police officer who shot a teenager who refused to drop a gun over the weekend. Now, posts he made on social media while on duty are under investigation by the department.
Officer Paul Quinichett has been with CMPD since April of 2013.
Saturday night, Quinichett shot a 14-year-old boy while responding to a call on North Tryon Street in North Charlotte.
The department says the teen, who is now out of the hospital, would not drop his gun when Quinichett repeatedly commanded him to.
An internal investigation is underway to confirm Quinichett’s use of force was justified.
“You’re going to get cleared maybe of the shooting but now get in trouble for what you’ve done in the past on social media,” said George Laughrun, a Charlotte defense attorney.
Laughrun is currently representing CMPD officer Wes Kerrick in his upcoming manslaughter trial.
Laughrun is referring to Facebook posts made by Officer Quinichett. The latest public post on Quinichett page was in December.
“Two more houses shot up tonight with more than 10 victims… Still no protests or riots! I’m starting to think people don’t care! What does it take for people to wake up?”
Another post was posted in November, saying: “#Blacklivesmatter. Well right now on a crime scene where several cars and apartments were shot up! This is a black neighborhood and i been here for awhile. I bet this won’t spark any protests… I wonder why?”
“I think you’ve got to be careful about where the personal page starts and where your role as a public safety officer begins. Here, they’re intertwined a little bit,” said Laughrun.
CMPD tells WCCB Charlotte the officer’s social media activity is part of the department’s internal investigation.
WCCB checked CMPD’s three-page social media policy.
It’s says, in part, officers are not allowed to post “personal statements about an on or off duty incident or issue including a use of force incident or criminal investigation.”
“I think, clearly, he’s violated the policy. CMPD directives say if you violate the policy, several things can happen. You can get a written warning , you can have a reprimand that goes into your personnel file … you can get cited for termination,” said Laughrun.
Laughrun say he doesn’t think Officer Quinichett’s Facebook posts are grounds for termination.
Quinichett is on administrative leave after Saturday night’s shooting, which is standard procedure.
