On First Reading: MNPD Misconduct Policy and Procedural Back-and-Forth

@startleseasily is a fervent observer of the Metro government's comings and goings. In this column, "On First Reading," she'll recap the bimonthly Metro Council meetings and provide her analysis. You can find her in the pew in the corner by the mic, ready to give public comment on whichever items stir her passions. Follow her on Twitter here.

As the Metro Council debated a resolution calling for the Metro Nashville Police Department to adopt a zero-tolerance sexual misconduct policy Tuesday night, Councilmember Bob Nash quietly moved from the council floor to the gallery. He made a beeline for two of the women who’d spoken in support of the resolution during public comment. 

A nearby audience member recalled Nash — who had raised concerns about the anonymity of the women who’ve levied complaints of sexual misconduct through the nonprofit Silent No Longer Tennessee — asking why the accusers couldn’t simply come forward. Don’t cops deserve to confront their accusers?

During his floor speech, former police commander Nash proffered some of the same arguments. He listed out the various pathways female police officers had to file complaints about inappropriate behavior in the workplace and lauded the current MNPD policy on sexual harassment. He went on to insinuate that this isn’t actually that big of an issue. “I’ve not had a single phone call from a constituent,” said Nash. “I’ve not had a call from anybody in the police department that I know.” I’m just spitballing here, but maybe a former police commander with strong ties to the police department isn’t the first call someone thinks to make when they’re trying to reform said department.

Setting aside the insensitivity of Nash’s comments — which elicited an apology from Councilmember Tasha Ellis for any offense or distress Nash might have caused the women watching the meeting — what was he hoping to accomplish with his tête-à-tête in the gallery? Did he think his deeply held beliefs about the dangers of anonymous reporting were going to change the opinions of two women who, statistically, have likely been the victims of sexual harassment or sexual assault themselves?

Nash doesn’t seem to have moved hearts and minds, because the resolution passed unanimously, with four members — including Nash — abstaining.

Look Around, Everybody on Mute

Every Metro Council meeting has a main character. On Tuesday, Councilwoman Joy Styles got top billing. No one can freeze up the workings of the council quite like Styles. 

True to form, she threw some wrenches Tuesday night. First up was a procedural crisis generated by Styles’ late-filed housekeeping amendment to the sexual misconduct policy resolution. Styles asked to suspend the rules in order to introduce the amendment — a routine request for a nonsubstantive amendment. 

However, because the bill had been recommended for deferral by the Rules, Confirmations and Public Elections Committee, Styles didn’t run the amendment past them. Unsure of how to approach an additional breach of the rules — and likely surprised by Styles’ decision to move for approval, given the committee’s recommendation for deferral — Vice Mayor Angie Henderson sighed, adjusted her glasses, and conferred with legal counsel in hushed tones.

Finally, a path forward: Styles should simply ask for a suspension of the rule that required her to go to the rules committee in order to request a suspension of the rules.

In moments like these, it’s clear to me why so few people attend these meetings. 

Me, Myself and I: The Joy Styles Story

Later, Styles was the protagonist — or antagonist? I’m not really sure at this point — in a showdown with Councilmember At-Large Delishia Porterfield over a bill to require the Metro Arts Commission to seek annual council approval of their proposed funding criteria for artists and arts organizations. 

Styles resurrected a slightly modified version of her original legislation on this issue, which failed earlier this year, in the form of a substitute ordinance that would have overwritten Porterfield’s language. The substitute would have placed a councilmember on the Arts Commission as a non-voting member and required a four-meeting process of review for council approval of arts funding criteria. Styles’ substitute received more than half an hour of passionate debate — and just six votes in favor. 

The battle was reminiscent of another Styles-involved duel last term over the Music, Film and Entertainment Commission. 

Syracuse, Styles Spar Over Efforts to Support Music Industry

Syracuse will run for an at-large seat in 2023, hoping to advocate for the music industry

Then-Mayor John Cooper’s administration largely avoided taking a position on the various versions of a bill establishing that commission. The resulting tug-of-war dragged on for months. 

It would appear Mayor Freddie O’Connell’s administration had no interest in a similarly tortured process for the Arts Commission. They explicitly took sides on Tuesday night, stating in no uncertain terms that they supported Porterfield’s legislation and opposed Styles’ proposed substitute. And they got their way. A seemingly exasperated Henderson officially called the game in favor of Porterfield on a voice vote on second reading. It wasn’t even close.

Score one for the home team — or the away team? Again, not really sure.

From what I’ve seen, defeat serves only to strengthen Styles’ resolve. If I were in the mayor’s office, I wouldn’t go showering my boss with Gatorade just yet.