Charlotte, N.C. -- The Charlotte City Council allocated money for the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department on Monday, but the funds were less than the initial recommendation. 

What You Need To Know

  • Charlotte City Council defunded chemical agents to disperse or control crowds at CMPD

  • The city spent $103,000 in chemical agents this fiscal year, which ends June 30

  • The city council approved the motion 9 to 2

The city manager previously recommended the council to give CMPD $290.2 million, which is 40 percent of the city’s budget. However, Council Member Braxton Winston proposed a substitute motion to adopt the recommended budget with the condition CMPD were not to spend any funds on acquiring new or maintaining existing stocks of chemical agents for crowd control.

RELATED: When protesters cry 'defund the police,' what does it mean?

Chemical agents have become a source of controversy after June 2 when protesters said officers boxed them in with tear gas. The incident is currently under investigation. The substitute motion passed 9 to 2. Council members Tariq Bokhari and Ed Driggs voted against the substitute motion. 

“I hope veterans of this work will recognize your city council is committing to a process that will need you at the table, pushing us to be transformative. The work will continue to be frustrating but I need your commitment to staying at the table,” Braxton said during Monday’s virtual meeting.

RELATED: N.C. Congressional Democrats Co-Sponsor Police Reform Bill

This fiscal year, the city council approved spending $103,000 on chemical agents. The funding is expected to be withheld from police and be allocated to other areas.

A committee will scrutinize spending and adjust police spending and policy.

The North Carolina Fraternal Order of Police posted a statement about the decision on Facebook.

“Charlotte City Council's 9-2 decision to no longer fund Riot Control Agents is dangerous. What will officers use to protect your business and your homes from getting destroyed? What DID they use to protect your businesses and homes from being destroyed? Without their use, this city would be on fire, and injuries would be much greater. As rocks and explosives are hurled at them, what measures do the police in Charlotte now have to defend themselves and the preservation of life and property? Pray for our officers and pray for Charlotte,” stated the FOP Lodge #9.

The next fiscal year for the budget adopted on Monday starts July 1.

On Monday, the council also approved a resolution introduced by Councilman Larken Egleston on the implementation of the 8 Can't Wait initiative. It provides eight practices that can help reduce police violence. CMPD already has some of the policies outlined.