CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Chief Kerr Putney answered questions publicly for the first time from Charlotte City Council's budget committee on where he wants public safety dollars to flow in the 2019 fiscal year.
Hundreds of his officers have called on city leaders to raise police pay by 15 percent.
The chief wants the city to know he is backing them.
"My people have been through a great deal," Putney said. "They have dealt with it as complete professionals. They have my 110 percent support."
This isn't the only public safety request that the council is weighing.
The city is looking to invest $25.6 million in six new police divisions and at least four of them are projected to cost millions more than expected.
Councilman Ed Driggs said that is isn't a "fund-one-thing-or-another" type situation, but investing in new police stations may help with recruitment and retention.
"We need to do more about the quality of the working environment," Driggs said.
The city is still crunching the numbers on a potential pay raise for officers.
Councilwoman Lawana Mayfield said she is against a 15 percent raise, but most city leaders have expressed interest in exploring the issue.
Putney hopes they do.
"If you're asking me what my priority is, it will always be my people," Putney said.
The public safety budget discussion is scheduled with the full City Council on April 11.
City officials said a 15 percent pay raise for all CMPD officers would cost $21.8 million.
Cox Media Group
