CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- New Mecklenburg County Sheriff, Garry McFadden, is checking off one of his campaign promises on his first day in office by ending Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)'s 287(g) program at the Mecklenburg County Jail.

The program allows deputies to act as immigration officials. This was a quick turnaround, taking just hours after becoming sheriff. Ending 287(g) was a major pledge for Sheriff McFadden while running for office. He says his goal is to help rebulild public trust.

McFadden was sworn in Tuesday at First Presbyterian Church in Charlotte as the county's first African-American sheriff.

Just hours later, he held a ceremonial signing of his letter to ICE, notifying them that the sheriff's office is ending 287(g).

The program has been around at the county jail since 2006. He says Mecklenburg County was one of only approximately 78 counties nationwide that voluntarily agreed to  this type of arrangement.

"And so now we have to show Charlotte that this is a step in the right direction and I need everybody's help [to show] Charlotte and the nation that we are doing the right thing,” said McFadden.

McFadden is a retired CMPD homicide detective. He says he hopes to use the officers freed up from this program to focus on preventing serious crimes and improve public safety around Charlotte.