MCSO Sheriff Addresses Allegations Of Racism As Audio Recordings Surface

CHARLOTTE, NC — For the first time since allegations of racism and a hostile work environment have come to light,  Mecklenburg County Sheriff, Garry McFadden, spoke publicly.

It’s been a week since Chief Deputy Kevin Canty publicly resigned from the sheriff’s office.

Canty gave WCCB audio recordings that he claims is McFadden using multiple racial slurs when talking about his
deputies.

In the alleged recordings of McFadden, he said “I think probably none of my chiefs, but a white boy. I got Chief Collins, I don’t know who that, I don’t know who that n***** is.”

The recording also has McFadden saying, “I know I can’t trust that captain, but that captain is that white cracker captain is better than the other seven captains upstairs.”

On November 1st, Canty sent in his resignation letter after just 9 months with MCSO citing unprofessional comments and writing that the sheriff’s office functions like a third-world dictatorship. Canty tells WCCB the recordings were taken by “a high ranking official on the MCSO executive team”.

Sheriff Mcfadden addressed the allegations on Friday at a platoon graduation.

“Is he yelling and screaming and talking? Yes. Is he pushing us? Yes. Will he push us? Yes. Will he ask you a question? Yes.
Will he be direct? Yes. Will you look for a direct answer? Yes. Are you racist? Absolutely not,” Mcfadden told the crowd.

McFadden repeated multiple times that he is not racist and that he can’t be because of the color of his skin.

Let nobody tell me we are not a great agency and we will be greater and better moving forward. Why? Because god sent me here for a reason and if I’m the sacrificial lamb to upset the word racism in America, so be it,” said McFadden.

The North Carolina Sheriff’s Association sent this statement:

The North Carolina Sheriffs’ Association (the Association),
representing all 100 sheriffs in our state, is aware of racially charged comments
allegedly made by Mecklenburg County Sheriff Garry McFadden that shock the
conscience. The comments made on the recording are inflammatory, racially
derogatory, insulting, and offensive.

The Association believes sheriffs are and should continue to be held to the highest
standards of professionalism, ethics, principles, and morals and should serve their
communities regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, or sex. Racially
charged comments certainly do not meet those standards.

The preamble of the Association’s Constitution creates an Association that
establishes “bonds of confidence, respect and friendship” among the sheriffs
across the State, maintains peace for North Carolina citizens and residents, and
seeks to gain the public’s confidence through the “courtesy, honesty, integrity, and
dependability of the sheriffs of North Carolina.”

Therefore, pursuant to the Association’s Constitution and Bylaws, the
Association’s Executive Committee (governing board) voted unanimously today to
inquire further into this matter.