by Nick Beres
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The Director of the Transportation Licensing Commission has spoken out, accusing the Metro Police Chief and others of being unfair.
Brian McQuistion said his taxi and wrecker inspectors were not trying to impersonate officers when they carried badges and guns on the job.
"That was never our intention. We were just trying to enforce ordinances," said McQuistion.
But he conceded mistakes were made.
"Frankly if we were doing wrong it was because we did not know. I apologize for that because we did not know," said McQuistion.
McQuistion has now learned it's a violation of civil service rules for his inspectors to carry handguns. So his inspectors no longer carry them. And, they turned all of the badges in to Metro police.
McQuistion said he inherited the badges and guns and the use of blue lights in cars when he took over the job eight years ago. He did not know the commission for badges expired back in 1993.
"These were things we had when we started so we assumed they were given to us for a purpose," said McQuistion. Now he said they've corrected any problems and hopes to get back to the business of regulating the wrecker and cab industry.
McQuistion said it's unfair for Police chief Steve Anderson and others to attack his agency to the point of accusing inspectors of criminal activity. He said they never did anything intentionally wrong.
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