The state legislature is asking the question, “Do police officers really have a quota for giving out traffic tickets?”
A new measure is aimed at limiting any such practice.
Knoxville Representative Harry Brooks says his proposal would stop a department from promoting or penalizing an officer for not writing a certain number of traffic tickets each month.
“It’s like saying in advance, you need to write 50 citations, or you have to write 80 citations, or, I suggest that you write 80 citations. You know, I think that is what this is after.”
Brooks is a retired Knox County sheriff’s deputy.
But Representative Eddie Bass, a former Giles County sheriff, says the legislature is meddling with the proper running of a law enforcement agency.
“We’re writing policy, we’re not making laws. And we don’t need to be doing that. That is why the chiefs’ association, the sheriffs’ association, oppose this bill.”
The Tennessee House passed the bill 81 to six. The Senate could vote on it this week.
WEB EXTRA
The bill is HB 2952 Harry Brooks/SB 2703 Burchett.
The House vote – 81 ayes, 6 noes, and 9 “present, not voting” – is here.
Bass is a former sheriff, Vince Dean (who voted “present,” not a positive vote) is a former police officer. Former law enforcement members who voted for the bill include Judd Matheny and Curry Todd.
Most of the debate on the bill has been in House committees.
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