BY DUNCAN MCFADYEN
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.
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.
