Blue light special? Bill would allow speakers’ cars to ignore traffic rules
A bill to authorize the state cars transporting the governor or speakers of the state House and Senate to use emergency lights is up for final approval in the Senate on Thursday.
[UPDATE: The bill passed 27-3 and is headed to the governor’s desk.]
Under current law, the THP cars carrying Gov. Bill Lee, House Speaker Cameron Sexton (R-Crossville), Senate Speaker Randy McNally (R-Oak Ridge), and Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti across the state aren’t explicitly allowed to use blue lights.
The bill sponsored by freshman Sen. Adam Lowe (R-Calhoun) and Rep. Lowell Russell (R-Vonore) would exempt protective detail troopers from following posted parking rules. They could also pass through red lights or stop signs without coming to a halt, exceed the posted speed limit, drive against the flow of traffic, and disregard restrictions on turns.
Lawmakers are pursuing the bill despite opposition from THP leadership.
The General Assembly in 2021 approved $750,000 in new funding for the Tennessee Highway Patrol’s protective detail, which doubled the number of Tennessee Highway Patrol troopers assigned to the speakers to two each. The speakers were also assigned two vehicles, up from the previous one.
The legislative hallways are rife with stories about one speaker’s trooper being reprimanded for operating the state cars above the posted speed limit. The Safety Department won’t confirm whether any disciplinary action has been taken against members of the protective detail for their driving habits due to what a spokesman calls the “potential operational vulnerability” of identifying the troopers on the detail.
The House has already passed the measure unanimously.
Lee looking for out-of-state troopers again
Gov. Bill Lee is looking out of state again to attract new troopers to Tennessee. The Republican’s call last year for law enforcement officers to transfer to the state resulted in 25 troopers being added to the THP rolls. Another 57 new recruits came from inside Tennessee.
Here’s what Lee says in a video touting the program:
I got a message today for cops in New York, all the way to sheriff deputies out in LA. We want you to join the Tennessee Highway Patrol. Our force is one of the most professional in the country. And we won’t get between you and your doctor. We believe that you would be a great fit for our state. We’ll even help cover your moving expenses. Now let me tell you why Tennessee would be a great fit for you. Here in Tennessee. We have so much to offer like a low cost of living and no income tax. We got a beautiful state with everything from backroads to Broadway in Nashville. And for you, there’s an open road to opportunity. In Tennessee, you will be given our full support and respect and our work to make sure your freedoms are protected. We stand with our law enforcement and will stand with you, too. If you’re looking for America at its best, come to Tennessee. Visit jointhp.com today, and we’ll see you soon in a Volunteer State.
Here’s the full release from the governor’s office.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Today, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee released a nationwide Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) recruitment video and renewed efforts to welcome out of state law enforcement officers to Tennessee.
In the video, titled “Join THP 2.0,” Troopers Da’Juan Clark of New Mexico and Louis Celaya of California share their experience moving to Tennessee to join the THP in 2022. Clark and Celaya now serve Middle Tennessee communities.
“In Tennessee, law enforcement officers get the respect they deserve, and we welcome qualified men and women from across the country to join our ranks,” said Lee. “Take it from our THP troopers – if you want to live, work and raise a family in a community where you’ll be given full support, come to Tennessee.”
Last fall, Gov. Lee launched a nationwide pitch to relocate qualified law enforcement to Tennessee. Since then, 82 new troopers have joined the THP, including 25 officers from out of state.
Tennesseans enjoy the lowest state and local tax burden per capita in the country. Additionally, the THP offers some of the most competitive benefits, including:— Full benefits package
— A self-issued vehicle rather than a shared vehicle program
— Complimentary uniforms and equipment provided
— All fees for training academy paid for by the department
In addition to THP recruitment efforts, Lee has made proven crime prevention investments to strengthen public safety and directly support law enforcement across Tennessee:
— 100 additional Tennessee Highway Patrol troopers funded by the state
— Creation of a $100 million Violent Crime Intervention Fund for law enforcement agencies across the state to invest in evidence-based programming and resources
— $30 million to support recruitment and retention bonuses for out-of-state police officers seeking to move to Tennessee
— Expansion of state funding for law enforcement basic training and increasing the frequency of training for new recruits
Out of state law enforcement officials interested in joining the THP can learn more at www.joinTHP.org.
Lee’s out-of-state recruiting campaign lands 11 troopers
Gov. Bill Lee’s push to recruit new Tennessee Highway Patrol troopers from other states has resulted in 11 people joining the ranks.
Here’s the release from the governor’s office:
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Today, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee announced efforts to recruit out of state law enforcement to the Tennessee Highway Patrol have netted early results as the administration focuses on proven crime prevention methods and addressing law enforcement staff shortages
“Just last week, we welcomed five new troopers to our ranks from across the country to strengthen public safety,” said Gov. Lee. “I challenge these new Tennesseans to recruit their former colleagues to the best agency in the country as we continue to welcome troopers nationwide to join us in Tennessee.”
Last fall, Gov. Lee’s nationwide pitch offered out of state troopers incentives to move to Tennessee and join the Tennessee Highway Patrol. So far, early recruiting efforts have brought 11 new troopers who bring new skills and diverse experience to the ranks.
Out of state law enforcement officials interested in joining the Tennessee Highway Patrol can learn more at www.joinTHP.org.
In addition to recruitment efforts, Gov. Lee has focused on proven crime prevention and key public safety investments to directly support law enforcement across Tennessee:
— Creation of a $150 million Violent Crime Intervention Fund for law enforcement agencies across the state to invest in evidence-based programming and resources
— $30 million to support relocation bonuses for out-of-state police officers seeking to move to Tennessee
— Expansion of state funding for law enforcement basic training and increasing the frequency of training for new recruits
— Access to a statewide hiring portal that includes qualified law enforcement recruits from outside of Tennessee who are looking to relocate
Read more about Gov. Lee’s statewide public safety agenda here.
