Use caution on trooper rules

Tennessean.com
May 8, 2006

The effort to reform the Tennessee Highway Patrol should be to keep politics out of the department, not deny troopers the right to engage in politics.

Sen. Mark Norris, R-Collierville, is sponsoring a bill that would prohibit troopers from "running for, or holding, elective office and participating in partisan political activities." Yet it also says the prohibition doesn't apply to "making contributions, attending political meetings, rallies or conventions when not in uniform."

The attention comes after revelations that an atrocious atmosphere of politics and cronyism has existed at the highway patrol. Troopers have been expected to be political animals in order to advance their careers.

But lawmakers should be cautious about steps that would deny state troopers the opportunities to participate in the political process. The Norris bill seeks to rid the agency of political influence, but the state should consider if it is treating troopers fairly or is making them accountable for problems they didn't create.

Interim Safety Commissioner Gerald Nicely has said he agrees with the overall intent of the Norris bill, but Nicely said he doesn't want troopers being "treated differently from other employees." And that's what lawmakers should seriously consider as they deal with legislation meant to improve the highway patrol. Nicely has done an effective job of changing the environment at the agency with various moves involving personnel. Gov. Phil Bredesen started the process by accepting resignations at the top of the safety department. The changes are well under way from an administrative standpoint.

An effort to restrict the rank and file from engaging in politics could overreach. The bill has passed in the Senate Transportation Committee. Lawmakers should make sure they aren't denying troopers the right to do things that other state employees are allowed to do. A heavy-handed approach to troopers doesn't clean up a system set by higher-ups. It just makes troopers pay for an environment they didn't invent.