Metro Council resolution aims to prohibit MNPD officers from voluntary association with hate groups

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Nashville’s Fraternal Order of Police said that a new Metro Council resolution would unfairly target officers. The bill is supposed to prevent officers from associating with hate groups and paramilitary groups.

It’s called the “Community Protection and Accountability Act.” District 25 Councilmember Jeff Preptit is the bill’s prime sponsor. In total, eleven Councilmembers have signed the legislation.

Under the act, officers with the Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD) would be prohibited from displaying patches, tattoos, symbols, and insignia of hate groups or paramilitary gangs whether the officer is on or off duty. Posts, “likes,” jokes, memes, retweets and other statements that advocate for racism, violence, misogyny, homophobia, or other kinds of hate or discrimination would also be prohibited.

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Preptit sent News 2 a statement that reads in part:

“The proliferation of hate groups in Tennessee threatens the fabric of our state, and underscores the urgent need for action. While individuals have the right to their beliefs, those serving in public safety, specifically law enforcement, are constitutionally held to higher standards to safeguard public safety and trust. It is imperative that we enact measures that protect our community from potential harm by requiring that officers and public safety officials do not engage in activities that could compromise their ability to equitably serve all Nashville communities.”

Statement from Preptit

On Friday, Mayor Freddie O’Connell was asked about the bill. He told News 2 he was aware of the resolution.

“I have not spoken to him [Preptit] in depth about it. I did see that that was on the agenda,” O’Connell responded. “For instance, Metro Council just recently had a settlement related to the Nashville Fire Department and some concerns about race-based speech, so I think they have already seen a variety of challenging circumstances where there may have been objectionable speech.”

“What are the grounds that that may impact someone’s ability to serve as an effective first responder versus is that within their rights under the terms of the First Amendment?” O’Connell said. “I will be interested to see what the legal analysis of that bill is, ’cause I think that’s the hardest part.”

However, James Smallwood, the President of the Nashville Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) wrote an open letter to Metro Council, urging them not to vote in support of the resolution. Smallwood told News 2 that the bill puts an unfair target on MNPD because it doesn’t apply to other Metro employees. Smallwood claimed that there was no discussion between Councilmembers and the FOP prior to the bill’s announcement.

“What if we have a Metro water employee or a Metro public works employee or a codes employee who has those same ideals? Why are they not included? Metro Nashville Police Department is not the only employee group in this city,” said Smallwood. “This city has over ten thousand employees and these Councilmembers chose, proactively, to target the Police Department.

“We are sick and tired of being the punching bag for the members of the council who do not like the police. Enough is enough,” Smallwood said. “Let’s move on. Let’s be productive. Let’s work together to make a stronger and safer community.”

Smallwood also tells News 2 the FOP believes the bill is divisive and could ultimately impact officer recruitment is approved.

“The Police Department and the FOP have been working very sincerely to recruit and retain officers to make sure that we have enough people to provide a strong public safety structure in the city,” Smallwood said. “I think what this does is damage that ability it keeps us from being able to recruit and retain.”

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“Certainly, every budget cycle when these Councilmembers sit in front of the Police Department and they say, ‘Why aren’t you able to fill these vacancies?’ Someone should put a mirror in front of them,” Smallwood added.

The first reading of the “Community Protection and Accountability Act” is set for Tuesday’s Metro Council meeting. However, Prepetit said in a statement on Monday that he plans to make a motion to move the discussion of the bill to September as the language is refined.

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