‘Abusive and narcissistic’: Second chief deputy resigns from Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office in less than a year

MECKLENBURG COUNTY, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — For the second time in less than a year, a chief deputy with the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office has resigned, and once again, the departure comes with serious allegations against Sheriff Garry McFadden.

Chief Deputy Christopher Allen submitted his resignation on Monday, August 18, 2025, in a strongly worded letter addressed to Sheriff McFadden. In it, Allen claims the sheriff created a “hostile work environment,” describing his year-long tenure under McFadden’s leadership as “the worst year of my entire law enforcement career.”

Allen, who has more than 20 years of law enforcement experience, said he first accepted the position with high hopes, believing in the vision McFadden shared.

“I was excited for an opportunity to make a difference and further my career,” Allen wrote. “Unfortunately, shortly after coming aboard, I realized that the picture you painted was not true, and quite the opposite.”

He accuses the sheriff of orchestrating “constant backstabbing, lies, disrespect, and false narratives,” adding that McFadden “willingly coerced other staff members to malign me.”

Allen also alleges that he suffered both “mentally and physically” under what he called McFadden’s “abusive and narcissistic behaviors.”

“You openly promote mental health and advocate for those in the community who may be suffering,” Allen wrote. “But you are the root cause of many who suffer, directly under your leadership.”

In the letter, Allen echoed statements made by former Chief Deputy Kevin Canty, who resigned in November 2024 after calling the agency “a third-world dictatorship” and accusing McFadden of running it “into the ground.”

“I totally agree with former Chief Deputy Kevin Canty when he stated that this agency has a culture that fosters a toxic and abusive environment, created by you,” Allen wrote.

This resignation marks the second chief deputy exit from the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office in under a year. Both Allen and Canty left the department, citing similar concerns about leadership, integrity, and workplace culture.

Queen City News will be speaking with Canty and others on Monday following this announcement. The Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office released this statement to Queen City News on Monday afternoon:

I want to reassure our staff and community that the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) remains strong and committed to its mission. MCSO will stay focused on what matters most, serving with integrity, keeping our community safe, and working hard for the people of Mecklenburg County.
Sheriff Garry McFadden

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