Members of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD) were in the spotlight last night for the 45th annual Police-Community Relations Awards. The ceremony, part of National Police Week's events, highlighted the work of officers who are forging strong, problem-solving ties with the people they serve.
The awards, meant to honor those who've made significant strides in enhancing community relationships, featured officers from various CMPD divisions. According to the City of Charlotte official announcement, recipients this year included Captain Trent Beam from the Westover Division, Officer Matthew Draper from the Independence Division, and Officer Jamaal Andrews, also from Westover.
Notably, the select group of officers and work teams were nominated not by their peers, but by the very community members they interact with — a testament to the impact their presence and actions have had in their neighborhoods. Officers like Stedman Graham from the North Tryon Division and Hasun Rogers of West Charlotte SRO were acknowledged for their contributions to the betterment of community-police relations.
The selection process was carried out by the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Community Relations Committee, which chose winners from a list of deserving nominees. Among the awardees were Major Torri Tellis of the University City Division, Sergeant Christopher Pinckney from the Domestic Violence Division, and Lieutenant Brent Harrison of the Westover Division. An additional highlight of the evening was the recognition of a local youth for their active engagement and success in CMPD's youth programs.
The traditional week-long celebration of police work, which this year ran from May 11-17, integrates such ceremonies to underscore the importance of mutual respect and collaboration between law enforcement and the civilians they pledge to serve.
