Mecklenburg Co. Sheriff’s Office Tests Out New Protective Vests For Deputies

Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Department is adding a layer of protection on the job. Deputies are testing out new vests that they will wear outside of their uniforms for safety and comfort.

Right now, two deputies are testing out the new outer carrier vests, but Sheriff Garry McFadden said the goal is for every deputy on the streets to be outfitted with a vest.

“For morale and safety purposes and also health purposes, we tried them out. We liked them and so we’re going to purchase about 80 to 100 vests over the next couple of weeks,” Sheriff McFadden said.

McFadden says each vest will cost about $300 for a total initial cost of $30,000.

Sheriff McFadden gave the green light for his deputies to wear the vests after hearing concerns from the force. Charlotte Mecklenburg Police officers are also able to apply for the new vests.

The Charlotte Mecklenburg Fraternal Order of Police joined forces with City Councilman Tariq Bokhari to advocate for both departments to get the vests that they say will help better balance the weight of the gear cops carry. Police Chief Johnny Jennings has previously said the vests are unnecessary.

“Whether it was forced or willful, it doesn’t matter,” Daniel Redford, FOP President said. “At the end of the day, I said it’s a win for our officers. We’re going to fight for them and we did fight for them.”

Bokari publicly pushed for the vests in the wake of the April 29th ambush when four officers were killed serving a warrant at a home in East Charlotte.

“April 29th will live in our hearts forever,” Sheriff McFadden said. “Of course, they thought about that and I listen to them and so for me, it was easy. I didn’t have a problem with it.”

CMPD officers assisting at the Republican National Convention last month wore the outer vests in a picture posted to X.

Some people, including Chief Jennings have concerns the vests look like military gear which could make officers look less approachable. Sheriff McFadden says he’s working to combat that by continuing community events to improve relationships.

“We’re going to take away all that stigma and build that trust and build that relationship. That’s our job, and that’s what we will do,” Sheriff McFadden said.

Sheriff McFadden plans to outfit 100 of his deputies who work on the streets first, then he’ll give deputies who work at the courthouse a chance to get the vests.

He says he is accepting donations to pay for the vests.