No officer should feel pressure to donate to a political campaign

Tennessean.com
November 29, 2005

The state Senate should proceed with a thorough study of the Tennessee Highway Patrol, because it appears a climate of political patronage exists in the department.

Most troubling are figures that show two-thirds of the THP officers promoted under Gov. Phil Bredesen contributed to Bredesen's campaign or had family members or political patrons who did. Half of those two-thirds were promoted over someone who scored better on exams.

Sen. Mark Norris, R-Collierville, chairman of the Senate Transportation and Safety Committee, says hearings to review the promotion practices at the department seem "inevitable." Norris has said that while his committee has subpoena power, he hopes that power would not be necessary. But if the committee needs to issue subpoenas to get at the heart of practices in the department, it should not hesitate to do so.

For his part, Bredesen has responded to reports about practices at THP, issuing an e-mail to state employees defending the administration and reassuring them he has not ordered promotions based on political contributions. The governor says only "dedication and hard work" should be used to determine who gets ahead. Bredesen has indeed built a track record during his political career of concentrating on performance rather than politics.

But the environment involving promotions puts such assertions into question, and the Senate should pursue the matter vigorously. Norris has said he has heard that leadership in the Highway Patrol seems to want hearings. The state should certainly hear what those leaders have to say. But just as important is the need to hear from officers down the ranks, with assurance of full protection from retribution.

No public safety officer should have to feel that political contributions or political contacts are necessary for career advancement. No officer should have to feel that someone else is getting an unfair advantage. No citizen should have reason to fear that a law enforcement officer's work is subject to politics.

A thorough look by the Senate is in order, and the committee should seek explanations for the promotion numbers