CMPD Officer Charged with Domestic Violence

Placed on unpaid leave pending internal investigation

Mar. 29, 2026 at 9:35pm

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A Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department officer has been charged with assault and domestic violence following an incident that occurred while he was off-duty. The department has launched an internal affairs investigation and placed the officer on unpaid leave.

Why it matters

Allegations of domestic violence against law enforcement officers raise serious concerns about public trust and accountability, especially in a major metropolitan police force like CMPD that serves a diverse community.

The details

After interviewing all parties involved, a Mecklenburg County magistrate charged CMPD Officer Ryan T. Clement with assault and domestic violence. The incident did not occur while Clement was on duty. CMPD's Internal Affairs department is conducting a parallel investigation into the matter.

  • The incident occurred on March 28, 2026.
  • Officer Clement was charged on March 29, 2026.

The players

Ryan T. Clement

A CMPD officer currently assigned to the Metro Division who was charged with assault and domestic violence following an off-duty incident.

Estella D. Patterson

The Chief of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, who called the charges against Officer Clement 'deeply concerning' and vowed to handle the matter with 'transparency and fairness'.

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What they’re saying

“I want to reassure our community that we take this matter very seriously and are committed to handling it with transparency and fairness. The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department expects every employee to uphold the highest standards of this profession. This incident does not reflect the service, dedication or integrity of the many men and women who serve our city with honor every day.”

— Estella D. Patterson, Chief, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department

What’s next

CMPD's Internal Affairs department will continue its investigation into the incident involving Officer Clement. The department has not indicated a timeline for when the investigation will be completed.

The takeaway

This case highlights the importance of thorough investigations and accountability measures when law enforcement officers are accused of misconduct, especially in sensitive cases involving domestic violence. CMPD's response will be closely watched by the community it serves.