CMPD Chief backs new traffic stop training program, says stops should be positive, educational and build trust

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The North Carolina Governor’s Highway Safety Program is launching a new effort aimed at teaching young and inexperienced drivers how to navigate traffic stops safely.

Two hour-sessions will be lead by instructors from the non-profit called Dedication To Community. The training will focus on safety and education, conflict prevention, and trust building. The program starts next month, targeting high schools and driver education programs.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Chief Estella Patterson says that training is crucial. She says, “Traffic stops are one of the most common interactions between our officers and our residents. We want to make sure that that interaction is positive and that it is educational. We want it to be an experience that builds trust and confidence and contributes to favorable perceptions of law enforcement for years to come.”

The North Carolina SBI says there were nearly 1.2 million traffic stops in 2024. Traffic stops are often a young person’s first interaction with police.