Firing Of 5 CMPD Officers Recommended After Man's Death

CHARLOTTE, NC — Five officers with Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department were cited for termination following an inquiry into the death of a man who suffered a medical emergency while held in police custody earlier this year, CMPD announced Friday.

Harold Easter, 46, was taken into custody for drug-related offenses during a traffic stop Jan. 23. He was taken to a CMPD police station on Beatties Ford Road, and while left unattended in an interview room, suffered a medical emergency. He was transported to an area hospital for treatment, where he later died.

The recommendation that four CMPD officers and a police sergeant be fired was made at the conclusion of an internal investigation, CMPD Chief Johnny Jennings said Friday.

"The internal investigation revealed that the sergeant and the officers had intimate knowledge that Mr. Easter had ingested and swallowed cocaine during the traffic stop," Jennings said. "Additionally, internal affairs concluded that Mr. Easter was left unattended in an interview room for more than 20 minutes. At that time, he was clearly in need of medical attention."

Easter's family has pushed for transparency about the events leading up to his death. In July, an attorney for the family said video of Easter in custody indicated he had requested help.

"For a period of minutes, he was calling out for help, acknowledging the peril he is in and just repeating, 'I'm going to die, I'm going to die, I'm going to die,'" Alex Heroy said, WCNC reported. "They just did nothing about it and they did nothing about it for a long, long time and then when they did try to give help, it was way too late."

The internal review revealed officers could have done more to help Easter, Jennings said, adding that officers have a responsibility to protect and serve community members who are in their care. "Regardless of the circumstances, we have that responsibility," he said.

"I know some of these officers. They're good people," he added. "But sometimes even good people make bad decisions and make mistakes. We vow to be accountable for those mistakes."

Video from Easter's arrest and time in the police interview room will be publicly released Oct. 1.

"I'm going to tell you right now, it's tough to watch," Jennings said. "To know that had our officers followed our policy, that Mr. Easter may be alive today. And had officers had more concern for the sanctity of Mr. Easter's life, we may not be looking at such a tragic outcome with this."

A criminal investigation into Easter's death remains ongoing, Jennings said.