The Fort Worth Police Chief issued an apology on Thursday for allowing off-duty police officers to participate in a federal survey in which they stopped drivers to request DNA swabs, breathalyzer tests and blood samples, the Dallas News reported. Though the survey was ostensibly voluntary, the use of uniformed officers meant drivers were under the impression they had no choice but to pull over. Here's the text of the chief's statement, which included contact info for the federal agency that initiated the effort:
RELATED: Fort Worth cops used roadblock to gather cheek swabs, blood draws for federal research project.
TO OUR CITIZENS:
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration hired off-duty Fort Worth Police officers to assist with the Roadside Survey by providing traffic safety and security of cash used to pay survey participants. This survey was intended to be voluntary and was conducted by NHTSA personnel.
We are reviewing the approval process for this survey’s utilization of FWPD off-duty officers not only to ensure that our policies and procedures were followed, but also to ensure that any off-duty job is in the absolute best interest of our citizens.
We realize this survey caused many of our citizens frustration and we apologize for our participation.
Readers concerned about this tactic should contact the NHTSA to tell them to re-think their methods.“I agree with our citizens concerns and I apologize for our participation. Any future Federal survey of this nature, which jeopardizes the public’s trust, will not be approved for the use of Fort Worth police.”
Chief Jeffrey Halstead
*** Please express your concern with this survey to the media relations office with the USDOT NHTSA - Kathryn Henry 202-366-6918; kathryn.henry@dot.gov
RELATED: Fort Worth cops used roadblock to gather cheek swabs, blood draws for federal research project.
TO OUR CITIZENS:
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration hired off-duty Fort Worth Police officers to assist with the Roadside Survey by providing traffic safety and security of cash used to pay survey participants. This survey was intended to be voluntary and was conducted by NHTSA personnel.
We are reviewing the approval process for this survey’s utilization of FWPD off-duty officers not only to ensure that our policies and procedures were followed, but also to ensure that any off-duty job is in the absolute best interest of our citizens.
We realize this survey caused many of our citizens frustration and we apologize for our participation.
Readers concerned about this tactic should contact the NHTSA to tell them to re-think their methods.“I agree with our citizens concerns and I apologize for our participation. Any future Federal survey of this nature, which jeopardizes the public’s trust, will not be approved for the use of Fort Worth police.”
Chief Jeffrey Halstead
*** Please express your concern with this survey to the media relations office with the USDOT NHTSA - Kathryn Henry 202-366-6918; kathryn.henry@dot.gov
RELATED: Fort Worth cops used roadblock to gather cheek swabs, blood draws for federal research project.
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