CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Charlotte-Mecklenburg Chief Rodney Monroe addressed the media for the first time Tuesday afternoon since he announced his retirement.
"I believe if I can't do at the level that I expect of myself, then the time has probably come," said Monroe.
The Chief says he only knows one speed, and slowing down is not it. He said that he was playing golf with Panthers Coach Ron Rivera over the weekend and it hit him that now is the time to go.
"I would never find the perfect time, so what is the right time? And I believe that now is the right time."
Monroe is scheduled to leave July 1, a few weeks ahead of the Randal Kerrick trial. He will be the first officer charged in a recent rash of police shootings nationally to go on trial.
The Chief says his departure has nothing to do with that.
"Were going to be okay as a department, as a city, so the fear or concern about me leaving prior to the trial, I don't have those fears or concerns."
During Monroe's tenure, crime has decreased dramatically, but it increased early this year. The Chief sees that as a blip not a trend.
"I believe some of the strategies we're starting to employ are-- things are leveling off. We don't see the same rate of increase we saw in the first two months of the year," he said.
Several City Council members have been trying to convince the Chief to stay, he won't say what he's been offered, but he indicated that door has been closed and he is at peace with his decision to retire.
