Gov. Haslam Signs Sheriff Qualifications Bill

[wolfeagle]

Read story here: http://www.cannoncourier.com/haslam-signs-she...

Read Bill Summary here: http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/107/Fiscal/HB...

This Bill removed the section that allowed a person who is not state certified to be able to qualify to run for sheriff, then once elected, go get POST certified. The Bill is designed to promote professionalism. To me, it is a nice way to keep sheriffs from a very small pool of people that can even qualify to run. It is what it is, effects no one that has an interest of running for sheriff, but POST certification means not much more than paying roughly $1,600 to Cleveland State Community College and complete a 400 hour certificate course. Then once you gain the certificate from the community college, have a buddy hire you at a small police department. You college certificate is then accepted by the POST commission and waaah-lahhhh, you're a "state certified" officer.

The bad thing that I see if 100% of every lawsuit filed against law enforcment officers are filed against those that are "state certified". It makes one wonder, IF a person is trained and certified, how is it that they constantly cost taxpayers money in defending their actions? Not one case is on file at the state of federal level where a "non-certified" peace officer has ever been sued nor ever cost the taxpayer one dime. Clearly this Bill restricts who can run for office down to a few. Case in point, who can qualify to run for road supervisor? Other than Tommy Snyder, who else can run? Therefore this law is a special interest law and could actually be challenged as unconstitutional under Art. 11 of the Tennessee Constitution.

IF the state wants to "promote professionalism" in the election qualifications to public office, then I strongly suggest there be stringent requirements to county commissioners as well. As we know, a county commissioner by a mere vote can run a whole county into financial ruins. Rhea County is a classic example of that.

I'm sure many of you have never heard of this qualification change because I can't recall ever reading it in the Herald-News, then again, I have grown accustomed to never getting worthwhile information from that newspaper anyway.

I'm just passing this along so that if there is a person out there that may have entertained the thought of running for sheriff but are not state certified, then they are out of luck. To my amazement, a known liar that committed perjury on a federal witness stand who is state certified can run for sheriff, but the rest of us can't. Now go figure that one out...

[ABOUT TIME]

WE NEED PEOPLE WHO ARE QUALIFIED TO BE A SHERRIF FIRST BEFORE WE ALLOW ANY JOE SHMOE TO RUN FOR IT. POLICE OFFICERS KNOW THEIR JOBS AND ARE TRAINED. IT IS NOT SAFE TO JUST LET PEOPLE RUN FOR SHERRIF WHO ARE NOT QUALIFIED.

[comfused]

ABOUT TIME wrote:

WE NEED PEOPLE WHO ARE QUALIFIED TO BE A SHERRIF FIRST BEFORE WE ALLOW ANY JOE SHMOE TO RUN FOR IT. POLICE OFFICERS KNOW THEIR JOBS AND ARE TRAINED. IT IS NOT SAFE TO JUST LET PEOPLE RUN FOR SHERRIF WHO ARE NOT QUALIFIED.

We sure needed this over 20 yrs ago. Maybe the county wouldn't be broke.

[Jennings Bernard]

I serve as a Sheriff Deputy over twenty years in Memphis Tn. Now you tell me I can not run for the office of Sheriff because I have not serve in the last three years is that right.
And you that justice.

[wolfeagle]

Jennings Bernard wrote:

I serve as a Sheriff Deputy over twenty years in Memphis Tn. Now you tell me I can not run for the office of Sheriff because I have not serve in the last three years is that right.
And you that justice.

Yeah, now ain't that some screwed up sh*t? This Bill was nothing more than an "incumbent protection" Bill, IMO. You are a prime example as to why this is a bad amendment to the sheriff qualifications. You are clearly qualified to run for sheriff but they apparently a sheriff that can be reduced down to an appointed officer instead of an ELECTED one. We need never lose our elected sheriffs.