In recent years, the leadership of Mecklenburg County Sheriff Garry McFadden has faced ongoing scrutiny, with his tenure being marked by multiple state investigations, lawsuits, and bad press. Since McFadden took office in 2018, questions about his ability to effectively lead his department have only grown louder. A new report from The Charlotte Observer has shed more light on these concerns, providing fresh allegations that further suggest McFadden may no longer be fit for the important role he holds.

Allegations of Abuse and Dysfunction

According to the Observer, a group of former employees has come forward with disturbing claims of a toxic work environment at the Sheriff’s office. These employees describe an atmosphere of verbal abuse, poor management, and unsafe conditions that have affected both staff and inmates. Allegations against McFadden include being verbally abusive, particularly towards his employees, and using harsh and vindictive language. He has been accused of unfairly blaming others for mistakes and publicly criticizing detention officers in front of inmates, which potentially endangered the safety of those working under him.

This latest report is a continuation of a long list of issues surrounding McFadden’s leadership, and while it is troubling, it isn’t entirely surprising. These revelations only reinforce what many have suspected: the sheriff’s office has been mired in dysfunction throughout McFadden’s time in charge.

A History of Controversy

McFadden’s leadership has been embroiled in various controversies. The most recent wave of criticism started in November when his chief deputy, Kevin Canty, resigned from his position. In his resignation letter, Canty accused McFadden of running the sheriff’s office like a “third-world dictatorship,” which, according to him, had led to “pure chaos.” This was followed by a shocking report in which McFadden was heard using racially charged language to insult both Black and white employees. Although McFadden later apologized for his words, the damage was done.

But the issues go beyond the workplace atmosphere. Deaths at the county jail have more than doubled under McFadden’s leadership, with The Observer reporting that the Mecklenburg County jails have failed several state death investigations since 2019. The sheriff has also faced multiple lawsuits over deaths that occurred while inmates were under his custody. In one case, McFadden’s office was accused of failing to properly observe an inmate, who later died by suicide. In another, employees allegedly ignored an inmate’s cries for help before he died from fentanyl intoxication. Some of these lawsuits even claim that McFadden or his staff tried to cover up these failures.

McFadden’s Deflection and Continued Denials

Despite the growing pile of evidence pointing to his failures as a leader, McFadden’s response has largely been to deflect blame. He has dismissed many of the reports and criticisms, claiming that state inspections are unfairly targeting his department. Additionally, he has blamed staff shortages caused by the COVID-19 pandemic for creating unsafe conditions in the jail. When asked about accusations of using racial slurs, McFadden admitted to making mistakes but dismissed the issue by saying, “I’m human.”

While McFadden has not been accused of any criminal behavior, some of his actions have skirted dangerously close to illegal territory. For instance, he allegedly told his assistant to alter public records requested by The Observer, and when an employee raised concerns about the legality of this request, they were reportedly retaliated against.

An Incompetent Manager in a Critical Role

What is clear, even from the sheriff’s own admissions, is that Garry McFadden is an ineffective manager in a position that demands strong leadership. The Observer’s reporting paints a picture of a sheriff who is both inappropriate with his employees and uses his authority in an abusive manner. His internal affairs division, which is supposed to serve as an impartial body, has allegedly been wielded as a weapon against staff, further damaging morale. Many employees have resigned in frustration, and staff members feel overworked and disrespected.

The results of McFadden’s poor leadership are evident: top employees are leaving, lawsuits are being filed against him, and his office has become a symbol of mismanagement. Most concerning is the rising number of inmate deaths at the jail under his watch, which reflects poorly on the sheriff’s ability to run an institution that is meant to protect both the public and those incarcerated within it.

McFadden’s Somewhat Positive Contributions

While McFadden’s management style has been widely criticized, it’s worth noting that he has had some successes during his time in office. He has been an advocate for immigrants, refusing to cooperate voluntarily with immigration officials, which was a central promise of his campaign. Additionally, McFadden fulfilled his pledge to end solitary confinement for teenagers and has worked to improve the sheriff’s office’s relationship with the local community.

However, these positive actions do not excuse the continued mismanagement of the county jail, which is one of the sheriff’s most important responsibilities. It is not unreasonable for the public to expect their officials to demonstrate integrity and competence, especially when those officials are in charge of maintaining public safety.

A Call for McFadden to Resign

As the allegations continue to pile up, it’s increasingly clear that McFadden is unfit for the position he holds. While asking him to resign may be an exercise in futility, given his tendency to deflect blame, it is crucial that the public recognize his failures. His inability to take responsibility for the dysfunction in his department has put both his staff and the inmates under his care at risk. This is a violation of the duty he promised to uphold when he first took office.

It is time for Mecklenburg County to consider whether Garry McFadden should continue in a role that he appears to be mismanaging at the expense of those who depend on it the most: the employees and the inmates.

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