Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officer arrested for pushing person off a bicycle, court records say

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — An officer with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department is facing assault charges after allegedly pushing a person off a bicycle.

The incident happened on Friday around 2 a.m. in Uptown Charlotte. 

An investigation revealed that Charlotte police officer Michael Joseph pushed a person off a bicycle, causing them minor injuries. Joseph was charged with simple assault after the incident. No next court date has been set at this time.

Joseph is on unpaid administrative leave pending an internal investigation in the situation. He has worked with the department since September 2024.

"No one is above the law, especially those of us entrusted to uphold it," CMPD Chief Estella Patterson said in a statement. "The alleged actions of this individual are troubling and does not reflect the values of our organization."