Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Chief Kerr Putney had been planning to retire after this year’s Republican National Convention in August, but with most of the festivities moved to Jacksonville, Putney has moved up his retirement timetable. At a Monday news conference, Putney said he will retire effective July first. Deputy Chief Johnny Jennings, who last month was announced as Putney's successor, will become chief a little sooner than originally planned.
Putney said he was humbled that the Charlotte community has given him the opportunity to serve. “This is the best city that I could have ever chosen to make my home and to work for in this police service.” Putney says he’s looking forward to spending more time with his family and friends. “To the CMPD family, to the city of Charlotte, thank you so much for this opportunity. I hope I served you well,” Putney said.
WBT’s Brett Jensen asked Putney if after retiring from CMPD, he had plans to continue his law enforcement career somewhere else. Putney responded, “Do I have any interest in other departments? No. That ship has sailed. I’m going to do a lot of things in the consulting arena, and I have a voice that you’re going to hear more of. So this is not goodbye, this is just finishing one chapter, one phase, going into the next, and I might be even more vocal in the next.”
Jensen also asked Putney to reflect on his time as chief. “My word would be ‘interesting,’” Putney said. “There’s been no lack of challenges, but I’m proud of our team. Chief Jennings has one of the best senior executive teams I think in the country, and we’ve got one of the premiere departments in the country. I’m just humbled to be along for the ride, really. I get credit for a lot of things just because I’ve been in that position, but truthfully, it’s about the people and the city of Charlotte as well. I’m just thankful to be a part of such a good team.”
Putney also said, “Everybody wants to talk about legacy. My only legacy is the people who continue to do this work the way we as a culture, as an organization want it done. Charlotte should have no less, and that’s going to continue.”
Putney has been chief since 2015, and has been with CMPD since 1992.