MADISON, Tenn. (WTVF) — An armed Metro Police Lieutenant running an errand was turned away from the Social Security Administration office in Madison.
He was trying to get a replacement social security card at the Cude Lane location. Fraternal Order of Police President James Smallwood serves as a voice for Metro officers. He said it's against department policy for them to remove their weapons while in uniform as it could put the public, and the officer, in danger.
“To deny that officer entry into that building is a slap in the face to every police officer across this city,” Smallwood said, "They’re asked to go in there and protect and serve the public."
A spokesperson for the Social Security Administration issued a statement:
"Under federal law, Federal Protective Service law enforcement officers and other law enforcement officers, performing official duties, are allowed to enter the premises with their weapons. Law enforcement officers visiting a Social Security facility to conduct personal business must secure their weapon at an appropriate location outside of the facility prior to entry."
Smallwood said this has never been an issue for officers before.
"It’s not acceptable by any standard," Smallwood said, "This is the first we’ve heard, and a matter of fact, there are other social security offices across the city that permit him to go, and permit any officer to go in uniform."
In this day and age, he believes officers attending to personal business before or after work, should be able to enter the buildings armed. "When they go in there to handle business, and they’ve got an appointment and folks know that they are police because they’re in full uniform, asking them to disarm is completely outrageous," Smallwood said.
