NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Nashville's political candidates had better talk fast if they want to campaign for votes with Metro police officers.

Watch: Word On The Street (3/28/07)

They won't get much publicity mileage out of these meetings because city police officials have issued an order limiting campaign rhetoric.

Apparently Chief Ronal Serpas wants his cops fighting crime and not listening to politicians.

For instance:

Candidates can spend up to 15 minutes with officers at roll call to meet the officers.

Those running for mayor or any other elected office get to speak to the various precinct police officers once during the six months before an election.

Their talks are limited to only five minutes and then they will be escorted out of the area.

Also, the candidates' staff, campaign workers or campaign photographer will not be permitted to accompany candidates at their meeting with officers.

Now this has been a favorite for politicians in the past.

Photographs with uniformed cops in any staged or pre-arranged political advertisement or events, or using any Metro police vehicle or equipment is forbidden.

Also, police officers are prohibited from politicking for a candidate while on duty.

In years and years past, city police officers were allowed to campaign for their candidates at any time.

But they had better campaign for the winning mayor, or their chances of promotion are out the window.

In those years, and maybe more recently, promotions and job assignments have been made on politics, pure and simple.

Hopefully this is a new day for the public and not so good for the politicians.