National Guard Participation In Sobriety Checkpoint Canceled

By Kleinheider Posted on May 14, 2009 at 2:47 pm

It would not have violated the Posse Comitatus Act according to officials. Clint Brewer reports:

It is clear from the documents that Guard members at the command level felt empowered to enter into this exercise with the Whiteville Police. It is also clear a disconnect exists between Guard training objectives at the local level and what is permissible from a public policy and perception standpoint from the command in Nashville.

It is troubling to think that Tennesseans might have to experience military police sitting at domestic seat belt check points, even if they are there to observe and train only. The public will hardly see it that way. Shaw and Department of the Military officials were correct to have concerns about the perception this would create.

The Department of the Military should have a clear-cut policy on this sort of activity and communicate it to their units statewide rather then from the department’s public affairs office in a piecemeal fashion. The department should also provide an outlet for our National Guard military police to complete the type of necessary training the 251st command sought.

permalink

Comments