NASHVILLE — A proposal to allow Tennessee Bureau of Investigation agents to make traffic stops passed the House.
The bill was unanimously approved today, and the companion legislation passed the Senate 20-9 last month.
The two chambers must now work out differences in the bill before it heads to the governor for his consideration.
The legislation would allow TBI agents to bypass current requirements to gain permission from prosecutors to make traffic stops in emergency situations.
Some lawmakers were concerned that under such a proposal the agency would be departing from its investigatory role into more direct enforcement.
TBI agents making traffic stops absolutely must be in clearly marked cars with permanent external lights and the agents must be in uniform with prominently displayed badge, etc. No civies/undercover garb allowed.
One should not stop for unmarked cars without uniformed officers present and visible. Particularly at night. Google Caryl Chessman et al for examples of what can happen...too many wingnuts, gang members, etc waving guns around out there these days to take that kind of chance.
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