Video

CMPD goes to Washington

More News video

• View larger
• E-mail clip
• More video

Search Video:

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Millions are expected to go to Washington, D.C., to see history in the 2009 presidential inauguration and Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officers will be there to help keep the peace.

"I think it will be exciting and I look forward to it, and I know the 80 officers we'll be taking look forward to it also," said Major Dale Greene, who heads the Civil Emergency Unit of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department.

The CEU helped provide security for President George W. Bush's inauguration. The challenge that time was the weather.

"The last inauguration, the CEU officers faced minus 16 below zero," Greene said.

The challenge on Jan. 20 is expected to be the people -- upwards of 4 million -- compared to 1.5 million the last inauguration.

"They have the equipment, the gear, the training to move in and disperse large numbers of people," said Greene.

In addition to Charlotte, officers from Greensboro and the Highway Patrol will also join the 4,000 officers who are being imported from around the country to help provide crowd control and security.

"Not that they anticipate any problems, but just in case to be prepared," said Greene.

The officers will travel to Washington, D.C., on Jan. 18, get their Secret Service briefing on the 19th and be in position by 4 a.m. on the 20th.

Even though Charlotte police are being used, the citizens of Washington, D.C., will pick up the tab and reimburse the city for all their hard work.