Rep. Jones presses ‘rogue agency’ THP over dossier of Tennessee activists

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — In his first assembly with Tennessee Freeway Patrol since changing into a lawmaker, activist-turned-Rep. Justin Jones, D-Nashville, pressed officers a few file he referred to as a violation of constitutional rights.

Jones led a spirited dialogue throughout the Home Authorities Operations Committee assembly, the place Tennessee Division of Security and Homeland Safety Commissioner Jeff Lengthy answered a few of his questions.

Lengthy started the dialogue of HB0209, which might renew the funds between his division and the state for the subsequent 4 years. Lengthy first joined the division in 2019.

When requested if there have been any questions, Jones introduced a replica of a NewsChannel5 Investigates report on a file of fifty+ activists from protests throughout the state capitol in 2020.

The confidential file was obtained by way of a public data request and listed names, arrest data, addresses, and private info of individuals of curiosity for legislation enforcement.

Jones was listed in the identical file as an individual of curiosity, however on Monday discovered himself within the uncommon place to ask officers why the file was crucial.

“How usually do you violate the citizen’s constitutional rights by this sort of surveillance,” requested Jones.

Committee chair Rep. Jay Reedy, R-Erin, interrupted Lengthy earlier than he may reply and warned Jones to remain on subject with the invoice. He then informed Jones he solely had so many questions left, earlier than the committee would transfer ahead with a vote.

Rep. John Ray Clemmons, D-Nashville, stepped in to say he understood the necessity for decorum, however that he doesn’t bear in mind a restrict on questions.

“I perceive that we don’t have to make accusations, however we will definitely ask questions on the way in which they conduct enterprise,” Clemmons stated.

Jones requested Lengthy extra questions in regards to the file, after studying that THP additionally had troopers monitoring protests in Memphis after the demise of Tyre Nichols.

“How usually do you create file information for folks exercising their first modification exercise and what are the parameters of those file information? Do you retain them on white nationalist teams? Did you retain them on the Tennesseans who participated within the revolt on Jan. sixth? How do you identify the teams you retain a file file on,” requested Jones.

“I’m not conscious that we preserve file information on anybody. In line with the authorized definition that I’m conscious of about dossiers, we don’t have dossiers,” Lengthy stated.

Jones as soon as once more shared a replica of the file and requested Lengthy to make clear that they don’t preserve information and arrest info on activists, together with info on those that weren’t arrested.

Lengthy responded and stated they do preserve arrest data. If others had been recognized from the protests, they might even be within the doc, however Lengthy didn’t say he’s seen the doc for himself.

Jones additionally requested a few NewsChannel5 report the place we realized THP spent near $1 million in a single month to cowl time beyond regulation prices of inserting troopers on the Capitol.

The committee requested Jones current his inquiries to Lengthy’s officer, however Jones stated he did have a gathering with Lengthy that was canceled and by no means rescheduled.

Lengthy stated he would offer Jones with no matter data he wants in the event that they’re accessible.

“We don’t have something that we’re attempting to cover or anything. I welcome a gathering with you. I wish to be a accomplice working with you and with the opposite members of this committee and the legislature. We’ll do no matter to accommodate you,” Lengthy stated.

Finally, the committee voted to maneuver ahead with the invoice to resume the division’s settlement with the state.

The invoice will go earlier than the Home flooring for a vote to which Jones stated he’ll urge his colleagues to vote in opposition to the invoice and demand extra oversight of what he referred to as a “rogue company” with a historical past of “violating Tennessean’s constitutional rights.”

“We have to take a look at the militarization of the Tennessee Freeway Patrol. We have to take a look at the assaults on residents’ first modification rights. I’m going to induce my colleagues to vote in opposition to this invoice till we get solutions from the Division of Security,” Jones stated earlier than his microphone was turned off.