NASHVILLE, Tenn. -
Staff members of a Metro agency could face charges after it was recently discovered some employees were carrying police badges and weapons.
In April, Metro police collected 10 police badges being used by inspectors who regulate Nashville's taxis, tow trucks and horse drawn carriages.
Inspectors were also accused of using blue police lights on cars and carrying guns without proper authority.
"In no way should these people be representing themselves as police officers. They do not have police department authority," said police spokesperson Don Aaron.
The Transportation License Commission is responsible for the administration and management of the department which regulates taxicab, towing and horse drawn carriage licensing.
The commission has since been reviewing the allegations of abuse by the department's inspectors.
"I think we are taking it very seriously, I assure you," said Board Chair Helen Rogers.
On Monday, the Transportation Licensing Commission held a special meeting to discuss the issue.
"We had two objectives. One was to take whatever appropriate disciplinary measures were necessary with the staff and toward that end we are going to issue charges that will come out at the next, review at the next meeting," Rogers told Nashville's News 2.
Rogers also added inspectors will no longer carry badges on the job.
"There is going to be identification rather than a formal badge in the future," she said.
The Transportation License Commissioners asked for further legal opinions on whether inspectors will be allowed to carry guns on the job in the future.
Rogers said the board is taking the necessary steps to correct any future problems.
"Metro Legal has been helping us to work our way through how to correct the job description so that our inspectors do what they need to do, which is enforce the six ordinances that our commission is responsible for," she said.
The next scheduled meeting for the Metro Transportation Licensing Commission is scheduled for June 28 at 1:30 p.m.
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