WANTED: COPS FOR BUSH INAUGURAL...PLEASE, PRETTY PLEEEEEZE

The Washington, DC Metropolitian Police Department has sent out invitations to departments across the country seeking officers to help provide security for President Bush's second inauguration and related events in three weeks, but at least one Florida agency has said "No, Thanks".

While the Bradenton Police Department is sending a squad of 18 officers from it's 100+ member force, the Sarasota Herald-Tribune noted that Sarasota Police Chief Peter Abbot has replied that his department did not have the 40 officers to spare. The Sarasota Police Department has a force of 194 officers.

The federal government is offering to foot the bill for hotel, meals, and air travel in return for the help. Security is expected to be extra-tight, as this will be the first presidential inauguration since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.