Nashville Cop and Highway Patrol Trooper Get in Shoving Match During Traffic Stop [WATCH]

Newly released body-worn camera footage shows a tense traffic stop between a Metro Nashville Police Department officer and a Tennessee Highway Patrol trooper who was transporting Tennessee House Speaker Cameron Sexton as part of an official dignitary protection detail.

The incident occurred on Oct. 6 on eastbound Briley Parkway near the Two Rivers Parkway exit. According to WKRN, an MNPD officer attempted to stop a black SUV traveling at approximately 85 miles per hour in a posted 55-mile-per-hour zone.

The body camera footage from the encounter was released publicly in December.

Video shows the MNPD officer activating emergency lights and following the SUV for several miles. Despite the lights, the vehicle did not immediately pull over.

At one point during the pursuit, the SUV flashed blue emergency lights back toward the MNPD officer.

The officer then maneuvered alongside the vehicle and verbally attempted to get the driver’s attention.

The driver exited the SUV and identified himself as a Tennessee Highway Patrol trooper.

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His face was blurred in the released footage due to his assignment providing security for a protected official.

Speaker Sexton remained inside the vehicle throughout the encounter.

The interaction quickly escalated into a heated verbal exchange and brief physical contact between the two officers.

During the encounter, the MNPD officer warned the trooper, saying, “You touch me again, I’m going to lock you up, my friend.”

The trooper repeatedly identified himself as a Highway Patrol officer and displayed his badge.

He also informed the MNPD officer that he was transporting the Tennessee House Speaker as part of an official detail.

“I’ve got the Tennessee House Speaker in the car, and we’re moving,” the trooper said.

“No, you’re not. Let me see your ID,” the MNPD officer replied.

The exchange continued for several minutes as the officers disputed authority and identification.

Eventually, both officers identified themselves by name, and the situation de-escalated after the trooper provided identification. The stop concluded without citations or arrests, and both parties left the scene.

Following the incident, MNPD confirmed that Speaker Sexton’s chief of staff, Kevin Johnson, filed a citizen complaint on the speaker’s behalf.

Johnson was not present during the traffic stop but stated in the complaint that he had been briefed by Sexton afterward, according to documents obtained by WKRN.

The complaint alleged that the MNPD officer acted in an “out of control and unprofessional” manner.

Specific allegations included chest-bumping the trooper, using profanity, and physically positioning himself in a way that prevented the vehicle from leaving the scene.

An internal review was conducted by an MNPD sergeant.

After reviewing the body camera footage and related evidence, the department concluded that the officer’s actions were consistent with department policy.

“The evidence supports that Officer Johnson’s actions were reasonable, measured, and consistent with established MNPD policy, rules, and procedures,” the internal review stated.

The complaint was classified as exonerated.

The Tennessee Highway Patrol released a statement addressing the incident and its relationship with MNPD but declined to answer questions about whether speeding is customary during dignitary protection assignments or whether the trooper involved faced internal discipline.

“The Tennessee Highway Patrol maintains a collaborative working relationship with the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department built on mutual respect and shared professionalism,” the statement said.

Sexton’s office also issued a statement criticizing the MNPD officer’s actions, arguing that the traffic stop posed unnecessary risk given the security considerations involved in transporting a high-ranking state official.

“There was no violation of traffic laws by the THP officer pursuant to state law,” the statement said.

The office added that the trooper identified himself and provided documentation multiple times during the encounter.

“In the end, cooler heads prevailed,” the statement continued.