What is

Bridging the Difference?

Charlotte is a city of over 850,000 diverse residents with varying viewpoints. Bridging the Difference aims to bring our community together for conversations about policing, public safety, community impact and a wide range of other topics. These community conversations will be taking place all across Charlotte, and your perspective is critical to bridging gaps and creating mutual understanding.

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Goals

1

Involve

Involve the community inclusive of all perspectives to engage and understand wants/actions.
2

Understand

Increase understanding and trust through a series of conversations about police and community relations and public safety.
3

Mitigate

Mitigate potential challenges/issues in advance of the RNC and other major events with effective community outreach and interaction.

Upcoming Events

Police and Community Relations – Support and Accountability

When: Thursday, Nov. 15, 6-8:30 p.m.
Location: Johnson C. Smith University, Grimes Lounge, 100 Beatties Ford Rd., Charlotte, NC 28216

Our panelists for this event include:

  • CMPD Chief Kerr Putney
  • Dr. Melvin Herring – JCSU Director of the Masters of Social Work Program
  • Jose Hernandez-Paris – Executive Director of the Latin American Coalition
  • Clarence E. Henderson – Civil rights activist at the forefront of the 1960 movement
  • Cindy Decker – Community organizer and activist
RSVP

Immigration and the Charlotte Community

When: Thursday, Dec. 6, 6-8:30 p.m.
Location: El Camino Church at 201 Stetson Dr. Charlotte, NC 28262

Special guests include:

  • CMPD Chief Kerr Putney
  • Charlotte-Mecklenburg Sheriff Garry McFadden
RSVP

Police and Community Relations – Bias and Privilege

When: Thursday, Jan. 17, 6-8:30 p.m.
Location: TBD

RSVP

Videos

Media Coverage

WJZY-TV (FOX NEWS) – CMPD Chief Kerr Putney hosting event to “bridge the gap”

WCNC-TV – CMPD Chief Kerr Putney tells WCNC he wants feedback from the community 

The Charlotte Weekly – Police Bridging Differences Leading up to the RNC

WBTV 1:1 Interview with Chief Putney on Bridging the Difference – Nov. 12, 2018

WSOC-TV – Nov. 12 – CMPD Chief Focused on Creating Peace ahead of RNC

WCCB-TV Nov. 12 – CMPD Chief Kicks off Bridging the Difference Campaign Ahead of RNC

Charlotte Post – Nov. 2, 2018 – “In Other Words” – CMPD Chief Kerry Putney reveals an initiative to engage the community in law enforcement support and accountability ahead of major events.

Spectrum News – Nov. 1, 2018 – CMPD: Bridging the Difference Before RNC 2020

Charlotte Magazine – October 2018 – CMPD’s “Bridging the Difference”: A First Step in RNC 2020 Prep

The Pat McCrory Show with Bo Thompson – WBT Radio – October 2018 – CMPD Chief Kerr Putney and Robert Dawkins Talk Reducing Vioence

WFAE Charlotte Talks – CMPD Chief Kerr Putney On Keeping Guns Out Of Schools, Preparing For 2020 RNC

Desired Outcomes

Shift

See a shift in accountability/support spectrum results from before/after meetings to demonstrate progress in thinking, conversation and understanding

Challenge

Challenge attendees to have ongoing conversations and engagement about these important issues

Solicit

Solicit volunteers for large city events – target the need for city ambassadors

Encourage

Encourage questions beyond this event to be directed to BridgingTheDifference@cmpd.org.

Create

Create a movement with #BridgeCLT, and shift attention to conversation, not confrontation

Resources

Take the implicit bias test

Take the Test

Book – “The Person You Mean to Be”

Buy the Book

Become a Volunteer

Please pledge your commitment to be a Charlotte Ambassador (community volunteer).

We are looking for people who want to:

  • Be a part of impactful conversations
  • Share information with others
  • Welcome outsiders into our community
  • Assist local law enforcement to keep our city safe by providing additional eyes and ears in the community