NASHVILLE, Tennessee (LifeSiteNews) – Tennessee governor Bill Lee has invited unvaccinated law enforcement officers from other U.S. states to join his Tennessee highway patrol and offered to pay for their moving expenses.
Lee extended the invitation in a video message released last week on YouTube, during which he alluded to medical privacy violations and the vaccine mandates imposed on policemen throughout the U.S.
“Our force is one of the most professional in the country, and we won’t get between you and your doctor,” said Lee.
Though he made no direct mention of the vaccine mandates, Lee’s message to unvaccinated law enforcement officers was clear.
“I’ll work to make sure your freedoms are protected,” he said.
He also addressed his message to cops in New York and Los Angeles, two cities with vaccine mandates currently in place for law enforcement officers.
The Republican governor then offered to cover the moving expenses of those willing to join the Tennessee Highway Patrol.
“We believe that you will be a great fit for our State; we’ll even cover your moving expenses,” he said.
Lee did not mention a specific amount, but Casey Black, his spokesperson, wrote in an email that “the reimbursement rate for relocation expenses will depend on the number of qualified candidates who commit to moving.”
This comes just a few weeks after Lee signed into law a series of measures drastically limiting the authority schools and businesses have over COVID-19 restrictions, including requiring proof of vaccination or enacting mask mandates.
Lee appears to be following in the footsteps of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who recently unveiled plans to recruit out-of-state police officers who “aren’t being treated well” and offered to pay them $5,000 in bonuses.
In addition to medical freedom, Lee offered a number of incentives to motivate out-of-state cops to move to The Volunteer State, including the lack of income tax.
“Here in Tennessee, we have so much to offer, like a low cost of living and no income tax… If you’re looking for America at its best, come to Tennessee,” he said.
U.S. law enforcement officers wishing to join the Tennessee Highway Patrol can do so by visiting JoinTHP.com.