Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Chief Rodney Monroe said he caught two hours of sleep most nights during the Democratic National Convention, taking naps on the couch of the his office at CMPD's uptown headquarters.
After the final protest ended, Monroe, 55, says he hustled to Time Warner Cable arena to hear the final moments of President Barack Obama's acceptance speech.
Monroe talked with the Observer about the department's handling of the convention -- and the hundreds of demonstrators who descended on the city last week. We wrote about Monroe's interactions with protesters on Saturday.
Some quotes from the interview:
The department has new resources: "When we went through identifying security-related resources that we were going to purchase, we were very mindful of trying to focus on those things that not only would help us in securing the convention, but would also be resources that we could use going forward, whether it's a camera system, whether it's a bicycle, whether it's the motorcycles that we were able to purchase." (The city received a $50 million federal grant that paid for the new equipment.)
Monroe openly negotiated with protesters: "There were two things that we were very clear on. We clearly recognized their First Amendment right to demonstrate and we were looking to facilitate that whenever and however possible. And number two was that we weren't going to tolerate property damage or violence toward officers or others. So those were the two non-negotiating points. We made it clear that anything between that we were willing to have a discussion about.
And there were a number of times when they wanted to go along a certain route and we would analyze that request. As long it didn't negatively affect either an event or a traffic pattern we were trying to maintain -- whether it was the delegate bus route or one of the dignitary escort routes -- we were willing to talk about it and make some kind of allowance. But we didn't want to come off as trying to hamper their ability to exercise their First Amendment rights."
Monroe slept on office couch, but managed to see part of Obama's speech: "There were 24-hour-a-day events occurring that necessitated a response by a number of personnel. I did take a couple naps on the couch, but I also had a place to stay nearby that allowed me to get at least two hours per night.
After the last protest, I was able to get to the arena catch the last 15 minutes (of the president's speech)." --Cleve R. Wootson Jr.
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CMPD made us proud. They, EMT and CFD were absolutely awesome and I couldn't thank them enough for how they represented our city.
ReplyDeleteSo will Chief Rodney negotiate with me the next time one of his officers gives me a ticket?
ReplyDeleteI thought not.
No but the DA will in a heartbeat. Get a life.
ReplyDeleteGo to hell
Delete@8:59
ReplyDeleteWhy would they negotiate with you if you break the law. The protesters weren't breaking the law by marching. It was their legal right. He clearly acknowledged the importance of recognizing their LEGAL rights
Anonymous 8:59...what a childish comment to make.
ReplyDeleteI was out wandering the night of the acceptance around 9:30 and just happened to walk right past him near the corner of trade and tryon. I remember thinking to myself how impressive it was that we was on the ground with everyone else while the festivities were going on. Well done! The quote from the other day on this story was perfect... "uncommon common sense"... too much of it lacking these days.. negotiating with the so called enemy isn't necessarily a bad thing and everything is gray, not black and white... some folks should think about that more often
ReplyDeleteCmpd's Major Dale Greene deserves a lot of the credit . He ran the day to day operations and did most of the negotiations with the protesters. He is the unsung hero in my book.
ReplyDeleteAwesome - thank you for noticing and commenting.
DeleteThe one thing that should not have happened was to let the Occupy idiots camp in Marshall Park. Seems kind of silly that the city spent a bunch of time on passing a so-called 'no camping in parks law' and then the police refused to enforce it.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if that came from Mayor Foxx's office...
Tactically it made sense especially in light of the low numbers of protesters. You were able to keep most of them in one spot were it was easier to keep an eye on. It gave the police a starting point every time they mustered up for one of their parades. Then once the DNC was all over, the police used it to get them out of here. Strategically and tactically a great plan!
DeleteDeputy Barney Fife knew how to do everything by the book. Sheriff Andy Taylor understood people. Who was the better lawman?
ReplyDeleteSince when do Police "negotiate" with those violating the law?
ReplyDeleteWhatever happened to the day when we had real police who said "This is the law. Do whatever you want so long as you abide by it, but break it and you're going to jail."?
ReplyDeleteThe fact that this guy was so eager to rush down to the convention center to hear Obama speaks volumes about him. Can you say "democrat political appointee"? Bet he never worked a day in his life as a street cop.
http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/girl_killed_for_her_bike_IikpsS1xfKCRtoZF7flqhK
ReplyDeleteWheres Al and Jesse on this one?
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ReplyDelete