CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Despite statewide stay-at-home orders, the city of Charlotte was able to search nationwide and find the police department's next leader.

 

What You Need To Know

  • Dep. Chief Johnny Jennings first joined CMPD in 1992

  • Jennings will take over as chief when Chief Kerr Putney retires the RNC

  • The city considered 60 applicants, some of which are sitting police chiefs

 

“I'm very happy and excited to announce today that Deputy Chief Johnny Jennings will be the next police chief for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department,” city manager Marcus Jones said at the beginning of a Wednesday morning news conference. The mayor, current police chief, and city manager all gathered for what many thought might be related to COVID-19 response or preparations for the Republican National Convention.

 

 

Dep. Chief Johnny Jennings saying he wants “to be the best police chief Charlotte's ever had” was no cliche. “If my goal is not to be the best, if my goal is not to exceed that, then I shouldn't even be here in front of you today,” Jennings says.

Jones announced Wednesday the national search for current chief Kerr Putney's successor, which included interviews with sitting police chiefs, was complete.

“We had about 60 applications,” Jones explained. “We widdled that down to the top few, then had a interview process,” he added.

Jennings will officially take over when Putney retires after the RNC.

“It is a bit away,” Putney said during the news conference. “We have this little convention that you wanted to bring here, so between now and then, I get the benefit of really transitioning with this guy who is going to be a fantastic chief.”

Jennings joined CMPD in 1992. He was promoted to his current rank, deputy chief, in 2016, and currently oversees the community services bureau. He's credited with developing CMPD's paid, college internship program, which aims to recruit and retain officers.

“Jennings is a humble guy,” Putney said about the person he joined the force with. “[He]...has a different approach, he's a nice person, so that's a relief. But, he's just as committed to this community as the chiefs who've come before him.”

The department's rank-and-file were included in the search. Five hundred CMPD officers provided input through an anonymous survey.

“My foundation is going to be the men and women of the CMPD police department,” Jennings said.

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #9 public information officer Chris Kopp released a statement congratulating Jennings:

“The Fraternal Order of Police would like to congratulate Johnny Jennings on his appointment to Chief of Police. We look forward to working with him in the future. We have had a very good relationship with him in his current role as Deputy Chief. He was always accommodating to meet and discuss issues involving our members, and we anticipate the same type of relationship. His leadership will be an asset to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department and to the citizens of Charlotte. We wish him much success in his new role.”

Community activists like Robert Dawkins, policy director for Safe Coalition N.C., echoed that.

“This consistency that he brings and knowledge of the issues, RNC, violent crime, these things we think are going to be a plus because we got someone who grew up through the Charlotte system and hopefully he will support some of the same initiatives that we're concerned with,” Dawkins says.

“I'll perfectly outline my vision once we get to a point of exchange of duties here,” Dawkins added.

It's an exchange of power and leadership that will happen during a crucial and unprecedented time.

“Before he leaves, I'm gonna get as much as I can out of him [Putney], and he knows that,” Jennings said. “He's not gonna take any vacation days or anything like that.”

But Putney humorously quipped back in response.

“Johnny's gonna take over quite a few of the day to day operations for us,” Putney said. “He says I'm not gonna take any vacation time...OK.”

Putney said he has a few ideas about what he'll do once he's officially retired. He wouldn't share details, only hinting that it may involve some sort of consulting.

"I have had the privilege of observing and experiencing the growth of our city and the department. We have been resilient in managing some of the most challenging experiences and growing from them," Jennings said. "We will continue to face challenges as the city continues to grow and evolve. I'm humbled to be the next police chief and lead the CMPD during these times. I'm eager to continue to serve with the men and women of the CMPD."

Jennings is set to start in his new role September 2020. He currently oversees the Support Services Group including the Community Services Bureau. 

“I want to be the best police chief this city has ever seen. No offense, Chief Putney,” he says. 

Jennings joined the department in 1992 and was promoted to deputy chief in 2016 by Putney who calls him "a man with an unwavering commitment to professionalism, integrity, and leadership."

Putney joined CMPD in 1992 and has been chief since 2015.