Officers, neighbors react to new chief

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- One of the first thing police officers wanted to know about Rodney Monroe -- the Richmond, Va., police chief hired Thursday as the new head of Charlotte-Mecklenburg police -- was whether he'll be an administrator or a cop first.

"He said he was a cop from the very beginning, and he'll be a cop till the very end," said CMPD Maj. Dale Green. "That ought to demonstrate to our officers and our community that he has a passion for law enforcement."

Green is sold on the new guy, and so is Neighbors for a Safer Charlotte. The group believes that the department needed some new blood.

"I think what you have by bringing somebody here who says listen I want a part of this when it started, but I'm here to help you fix it," said Dave Romero, one of the group's organizers.

Monroe brings an aggressive reputation for cracking down on gangs and concentrating resources in problem areas. His approach resulted in a 33 percent drop in homicides. All of that sounds good, but officers are hoping he'll take his time when it comes to making changes in the department.

"I don't think we have anything that's broken, I can’t say there is anything in particular I think he should look at first, but I do think involvement in the community is always crucial," said Maj. Vicki Foster.

Monroe is supposed to be introduced at a news conference next Monday and start his new job by June 16. He'll be Charlotte's first African-American chief of police.