CHARLOTTE, N.C. — If you've spent much time in Charlotte, you might have seen vehicles driving around that look like Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police cruisers, but they're not actually law enforcement officers.
The vehicles will be marked with stripes like normal CMPD cruisers and will say "Citizens On Patrol." Now a post on social media has people wondering what exactly they can do.
Citizens on Patrol is a volunteer program that helps with crime reduction and community improvements in Charlotte. But what people want to know is if they can pull drivers over or make arrests.
OUR SOURCES
THE ANSWER
No, CMPD's Citizens on Patrol cannot pull someone over.
WHAT WE FOUND
According to CMPD's website, the department developed the volunteer program in 2004 to help reduce crime and increase community involvement.
Each volunteer gets 80 hours of training for the job, they wear uniforms, and drive marked vehicles that resemble police cars.
They do not carry weapons, nor do they have the power to arrest. Their duties can include checking abandoned vehicles, directing traffic, or visiting businesses, schools, hotels and residential neighborhoods.
But can they pull someone over?
Here's what a CMPD spokesperson told VERIFY via email:
"They are not able to pull drivers over. They are allowed to issue citations when vehicles are illegally parked in handicapped spaces or fire lanes."
Meghan Bragg: Contact Meghan Bragg at mbragg@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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