Mecklenburg County Sheriff and New Chief Deputy Chat Live

Reelected Sheriff Garry McFadden and new Chief Deputy Ricky Robbins discuss their partnership and vision for the department.

Apr. 1, 2026 at 2:51pm

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Mecklenburg County Sheriff Garry McFadden and his newly appointed Chief Deputy Ricky Robbins, who also ran against McFadden in the primary election, will sit down for a live discussion on WBTV. The conversation comes as Robbins officially starts his position as the sheriff's second-in-command, a high-profile role that has recently been in the spotlight.

Why it matters

The relationship between the sheriff and chief deputy is crucial for the leadership and direction of the Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office. McFadden and Robbins have an obvious respect for one another despite their primary election contest, signaling a potential collaborative approach to law enforcement in the county.

The details

McFadden won the primary election with 33% of the vote, while Robbins received the second-most votes at 31%. Only about 2,700 votes separated the two candidates. Robbins will now serve as McFadden's chief deputy, a position that has been in the spotlight after the previous chief deputy resigned last year citing a 'hostile work environment' and 'backstabbing' by the sheriff.

  • The live discussion will take place on Wednesday, April 1, 2026 at 12:30 p.m.
  • Robbins will officially start his new role as chief deputy on April 1, 2026.

The players

Garry McFadden

The reelected Mecklenburg County Sheriff who secured 33% of the primary vote.

Ricky Robbins

The new chief deputy for the Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office, who received the second-most votes in the primary election at 31%.

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What they’re saying

“'Mr. Robbins' experience and vision align with our mission to promote safety, accountability and trust across Mecklenburg County. As Chief Deputy, he will play a key role in advancing our priorities and supporting the dedicated men and women of the Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office.'”

— Garry McFadden, Mecklenburg County Sheriff

“'During my tenure at the agency, I have endured constant backstabbing, lies, disrespect and fake narratives, all orchestrated by you, in an attempt to assassinate my character.'”

— Chris Allen, Former Chief Deputy

What’s next

The live discussion between Sheriff McFadden and Chief Deputy Robbins will provide insight into their working relationship and vision for the Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office.

The takeaway

The partnership between the newly reelected Sheriff McFadden and his new chief deputy Robbins, who was a challenger in the primary, signals a potential collaborative approach to law enforcement in Mecklenburg County despite their previous electoral contest.