CMPD begins issuing outer carrier vests

Officers with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department are finally being assigned the highly-anticipated outer carrier vests.

CMPD says they came in earlier this week. The department says more than 900 officers applied for the vest equipment. That’s about 49% of the force.

Most of them are going to officers in the patrol division. The vests are optional and officers will train with their new gear.

“Patrol is obviously the front-facing representative organization. And so we always want to make sure that our officers are approachable and we don’t have any additional barriers between those in our community and officers that serve them,” Deputy Chief Jackie Bryley said.

Chief Johnny Jennings has said the vests offer no extra protection and can cause safety concerns.

The department says it does expect more officers to request the vest.