© 2024 WFAE
90.7 Charlotte 93.7 Southern Pines 90.3 Hickory 106.1 Laurinburg
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

CMPD Officer, Wife Charged With Felony Sexual Abuse

Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office

A Charlotte Mecklenburg Police officer and his wife face charges of sexually assaulting a family member 15 years ago. Reginald and Dia Harris were arrested Wednesday.

Reginald Harris, who goes by the nickname “Rock,” is 52 and has been with CMPD since 1988. For the last 10 years, he was a patrol officer in the North Tryon Division. Both Harris and his wife are charged with three counts each of first degree sex offense, taking indecent liberties with a minor, and crimes against nature. Dia Harris, who is 40, is also charged with three counts of felony child abuse. Police say the abuse started in 1999 when the child was 8 years old, and continued until 2002.

CMPD Deputy Chief Kerr Putney says the investigation suggests the abuse was limited to one victim. That person initially came forward in 2009, but soon decided not to cooperate. So Officer Harris stayed on the job.

“We never achieved a level of probable cause to charge in [20]09. The victim in circumstances like this is sometimes is hesitant to move forward, and that was our obstacle at the time,” Putney explains.

Credit Duncan McFadyen
/
WFAE
CMPD Deputy Chief Kerr Putney talks about the Harris' arrest, August 6, 2014.

But the accuser came forward again last month. Putney says the person’s story remained consistent.

“The allegations have never changed; they’ve been consistent. And, at this age, the victim is much more mature and wants justice served,” he says.

Harris had been on paid administrative leave since the investigation began. He was placed on unpaid leave Wednesday.