CHARLOTTE, N.C. –A Mecklenburg County detention officer has been fired and is facing assault charges following a fight with an inmate, according to Sheriff Garry McFadden.
McFadden says former Detention Officer Chandler Craig was arrested and charged with simple assault stemming from an incident on September 13th, 2021 in which Craig assaulted a resident while working in a resident housing unit inside Mecklenburg County Detention Center-Central.
Former Detention Officer Chandler Craig
McFadden says while the incident began as a verbal dispute with the resident (who was handcuffed), it escalated to Craig using physical force that was outside of MCSO’s policies, procedures, and training regarding an appropriate use of force.
Police say while Craig submitted a written report regarding her use of force, she failed to disclose sufficient details of the incident which was clearly captured on security video.
Craig’s employment with the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office began on December 9th, 2015 and ended on September 22nd, 2021, when Sheriff McFadden fired her for inappropriate conduct.
“I personally review all use of force reports submitted from detention staff and after reading the report regarding this incident, the MCSO Criminal Investigations Unit was notified. The type of conduct displayed by Officer Craig is not a representation of this agency and will not be tolerated. While I understand the dangers of working in a detention facility, I also understand the importance of ensuring the safety of all MCSO staff as well as residents housed inside our detention facilities. It is never an easy decision to terminate a staff member but it is necessary to maintain a high standard of professionalism and ethical conduct at MCSO,” said Sheriff McFadden.
