Two CMPD officers test positive for coronavirus, department says

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Charlotte-Mecklenburg police said two of its officers have tested positive for the coronavirus.

The department said it is now taking steps to prevent the virus from spreading further.

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Officials said 14 other officers are on leave following quarantine protocol.

Chief Kerr Putney sent an email to the entire department Friday afternoon, communicating the seriousness of the pandemic and how it is impacting first responders locally.

Putney did not reveal the names of the officers who tested positive or the ones who are in quarantine.

Sources told Channel 9′s Glenn Counts that the two officers had been feeling under the weather and a department temperature check revealed they had a fever. A test then confirmed they had COVID-19, sources said.

“We are not immune. Our own CMPD family have had two officers who have tested positive for COVID-19. We’re working very closely with our health care leadership and the process is to make sure they’re safe and well, and they can get back to work very soon,” Deputy Chief Jeff Estes said during at the Mecklenburg County’s virtual update Friday.

Sources said they haven’t been able to trace how the officers got the virus at this point.

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The department has not said what division the officers who tested positive work in or if they contracted the virus on the job.

Putney said the numbers will be updated and released to the department each day.

“The mission has to go on for the Police department we are essential personnel that can’t say we’re gonna stop doing business because of COVID-19," said Deputy Chief Estella Patterson.

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