Mo. Police Chief calls NHTSA stops unconstitutional
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Mo. Police Chief calls NHTSA stops unconstitutional

Date: February 13, 2014
By: Christine Roto
State Capitol Bureau

Intro: 
One local police chief wants to put an end to federal traffic stops.
RunTime:  0:46
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: The National Highway Traffic Safety Association has been collecting blood and saliva samples from drivers by directing them into voluntary traffic stops throughout the country.

The drivers are then paid for their time. 

Republican representative Ken Wilson says the stops are unconstitutional because drivers think they're required to stop and participate.

Monroe County Police Chief Larry Kirk says the stops give drivers a bad perception of police officers.

Actuality:  PC021.WAV
Run Time:  00:07
Description: "Their immediate agitation isn't toward the survey, it's toward the police officer pulling them off the highway."

But Wilson faced opposition from his party when Republican representative Mike Kelley said the stops don't violate personal rights because they are voluntary.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Christine Roto.

Intro: 
Local Missouri police chief calls federal traffic stops "unconstitutional."
RunTime:  0:45
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: Republican representative Ken Wilson says the National Highway Traffic Safety Association is violating Missourians rights by having them stop to give saliva and blood samples.

The traffic stops start with an off-duty officer directing cars into an area where the drivers are given the option to give a sample for research.

But Monroe County Police Chief Larry Kirk says using a police officer makes people feel like they're obligated to partipate.

Actuality:  PC6.WAV
Run Time:  00:08
Description: "I appreciate good scientific research. I don't appreciate uus forcing people to decide if they want to participate or not."

But a few Republican and Democratic representatives say they don't think the stops are unconstitutional because the participation is voluntary.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Christine Roto.