Chief Kerr Putney will officially retire from the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department on Jan. 1, but he’ll return two months later in an interim capacity to lead the department through the city’s hosting of the Republican National Convention (RNC) next summer.
Charlotte City Manager Marcus Jones announced Putney’s retirement plan late Monday.
“Chief Putney made a commitment to Charlotte to lead our security efforts during the RNC and I know that is important to him,” Jones said in a statement. “Because of his experience with the city’s efforts for the DNC in 2012 and his involvement with the current RNC planning, I want him to return and believe this approach gives us the best opportunity to host a more successful RNC for our residents, business community and visitors while also helping Chief Putney meet his personal commitments.”
Jones will name an interim chief to serve during Putney’s two-month hiatus. Putney’s permanent replacement will be named following the RNC, Jones said.
Putney joined CMPD in 1992 as a patrol officer. He was promoted to deputy chief in 2007 and was sworn in as chief of police on July 1, 2015.
Jones said he and Putney have been working on a “thoughtful transition process that includes input from other stakeholders.”
The city will host a media briefing on Wednesday discuss CMPD’s transition plans.
