I Think It Is Time We Got Involved.

[Big Sarge]

Originally Posted by xoxoxoBruce

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Bruce - You realize the local police were only assisting a Federal agency, the NHTA, in this incident. The NHTA provides large grants to local agencies to enforce DUI and Seatbelt enforcement. This includes paying the salaries of officers for enforcement, patrol cars, in car video cameras, intoxilyzers, etc. The local agency was likely caught in a situation that if they refused to help the NHTA, they would lose grant funding the next year.

I have first hand knowledge of the NHTA. Years ago I worked as a Metro DUI Officer (a 4 department task force) and our primary duties were to enforce DUI and safety restraint. Our results were submitted monthly to the NHTA through our State Grant Coordinator. Later as a police chief, I wrote grants to receive funds for officer salaries and equipment. Your agency's performance (stats) directly impacted how much funding your department received.

What I am trying to say is the blame should fall on the Federal Agency that makes state & local departments puppets.