It's seldom that we have much good to write here about police and police chiefs but when the chief of a large metropolitan police force insists that his officers assiduously uphold the constitution even when it means defying the Secret Service that is news and good news. The incident occurred in January of 2013 with a 911 call from the Secret service requesting local assistance in entering the residence of a man whom they were investigating over an alleged threatening Face Book post. Nashville police quickly determined that the Secret Service had no warrant ergo no legal right to enter the man's home. At that point a Secret Service suggested that one of the officers wave a piece of paper as if it were a warrant. Following the oath they took to uphold the law and the constitution the officers left the scene.
Chief Steve Anderson fired off angry letter to then Secret Service Director Julia Pierson and Assistant Director A.T. Smith. Pierson did not acknowledge the letter however Smith did call but "his tone, at best, was condescending and dismissive," the chief added. "I realized that I was being told, in a polite manner, to mind my own affairs."
After that the chief demand and got a sit down with the local Secret Service agents and asked "Do you think it is appropriate to wave a piece of paper in the air and tell him you have a warrant when you do not have a warrant?"
"Answer: 'I don't know. I'm not a lawyer.'"
Okay smart ass. He who laughs last laughs loudest. Chief Anderson's next letter went to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
Whether or not Chief Anderson's letter and his dogged adherence to his principles begets immediate action is beside the point. The point is there is at least one police chief who does bow to the wishes of the federal government.
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