MEMPHIS, Tenn. — What’s that old saying in sports? “A tie game is like kissing your sister.” Yuck.
In politics, for Shelby County Commissioners to approve anything takes a majority of thirteen members.
Commissioner Tami Sawyer has been pushing a plan that would prohibit the Shelby County Sheriff’s Department from hiring any potential deputies if they were fired from previous work because of the use of excessive force.
Sawyer has been quoted as saying, “Law enforcement needs change.”
The trouble is, Sheriff Floyd Bonner instituted a policy similar to the Sawyer plan.
“I can guarantee you that we do and will follow this policy.”
Sawyer said there was a big issue.
“Sheriff Bonner might have that excessive force policy now, but what about the next Sheriff, and the one after that.”
Her argument was persuasive enough to get six votes. Opponents were able to get six against, saying the Sawyer proposal wasn’t needed.
On another issue, Commissioner Sawyer withdrew her proposal to ban the use of tear gas by the Sheriff’s office.
