How will we

Bridge the Difference?

Charlotte is a city of over 850,000 diverse residents with varying viewpoints. Bridge the Difference aims to bring our community together for conversations about policing, public safety and community impact. These community conversations are 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

Bridging Community through People of Faith — CALLING ALL PASTORS AND MINISTRY LEADERS IN CLT!

When: Thursday, July 18, 6-8 p.m.

Location: Johnson & Wales University – Hance Auditorium — 801 W. Trade St.

The Bridge the Difference community engagement series is featuring an event for faith leaders to:

  • Hear a strong call-to-action by CMPD Chief Kerr Putney.
  • Learn about an awesome community event from June that bridged faith leaders, members from diverse backgrounds and the community to improve relationships and provide resources to a neighborhood in need.
  • Brainstorm ways you can carry out this mission through your own places of worship.

Parking:

  • Attendees will be able to park in Parking Lot A for FREE — located at 235 South Cedar St., Charlotte, NC 28202
  • If that lot gets full, attendees will need to consider surrounding individual lots
RSVP

Violent Crime and Accountability — A Community Conversation

When: Thursday, Aug. 1, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.

Location: Queens University – 2229 Tyvola Rd.

The Bridge the Difference community engagement series is addressing violent crime in Charlotte.

  • Hear from a panel of leaders in our criminal justice system including CMPD Chief Kerr Putney and District Attorney Spencer Merriweather.
  • Learn about how our criminal justice system currently operates including roles and responsibilities.
  • Brainstorm ways the community can play a part in impacting and reducing violent crime.

Parking:

  • Plenty of free parking at this venue!
RSVP

Bridge the Difference and get involved by volunteering (sign-up form below), sponsoring or creating an event. Email BridgetheDifference@CMPD.org for more information. 

Videos

Media Coverage

WBTV – CMPD takes Bridge the Difference conversation to business executives

WSOC-TV (ABC NEWS) – CMPD Ambassador program hopes conversation contributes to peace and stability 

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 Violence

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.

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

Book – “Turning to One Another: Simple Conversations to Restore Hope in the Future”

Buy the Book

Volunteer and Become an Ambassador

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

TRAINING:

REGISTER FOR AMBASSADOR TRAINING HERE!

Sessions are broken out into THREE PHASES:

  • PHASE I – Kickoff, GOV 101, Communication 101 and Conflict Resolution
  • PHASE II – Mediation, De-escalation Techniques and Cultural Competence: The Human Factor (Part I)
  • PHASE III – CLT History, Cultural Competence: The Human Factor (Part II) and Encountering Outside Groups

Trainings will be conducted at the CMPD Training Academy located at 1770 Shopton Road or other locations as designated throughout the year as we look to on-board 2,000 Ambassadors!

Help us bridge the difference, and become an ambassador in the Charlotte community.

Volunteer Training Schedule

CMPD Training Academy – Phase I

Date: March 15
Time: 1-5 p.m.
Location: 1770 Shopton Road

Date: March 16
Time: 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Location: 1770 Shopton Road

Date: March 23
Time: 6-9 p.m.
Location: 1770 Shopton Road

CMPD Training Academy – Phase II

Date: June 14
Time: 1-5 p.m.
Location: 1770 Shopton Road

Date: June 15
Time: 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Location: 1770 Shopton Road

CMPD Training Academy – Phase III

Date: Sept. 20
Time: 1-5 p.m.
Location: 1770 Shopton Road

Date: Sept. 21
Time: 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Location: 1770 Shopton Road