Private security companies filed a lawsuit against the Metro Nashville Police Department for creating an unfair monopoly of security at special events, effectively killing competition.
The suit comes as overtime pay to police continues to skyrocket.
"When you take a special event from me that I’m doing for x-amount of dollars and you do it for free on the taxpayers dime, the taxpayers are losing money," said Loyd Poteete with Comprehensive Security, Inc., who is a plaintiff in the suit. "In the long term, it’s going to affect the pension plan, the budget -- the whole nine yards."
Historically, private security companies have policed many special events by hiring off-duty police officers. In those instances, the event coordinator would foot the bill, but recently, the police department has taken on more of that work load, shifting the cost to taxpayers.
Additionally, as of April 1, Metro officers are no longer allowed to work for private security companies. In 2017, 175 police officers worked for private security companies.
A Metro Police spokesman said several factors played into the policy change.
"MNPD officers employed by contract security companies often find themselves working side by side with officers from other agencies and jurisdictions," police spokesman Don Aaron wrote in an email. "These individuals come from agencies whose policies and training differ than that of the MNPD’s. Given that, there is a potential for MNPD officers to become involved in a situation of increased risk and liability."
Aaron also said some private security companies operate illegally by using unauthorized blue lights, hiring unqualified people to act as officers and failing to obtain permits for street closures.
The lawsuit does not seek monetary damages, but instead seeks an injunction to stop Metro from unfairly monopolizing security work.
