An apparent order by the US Secret Service to stop screening for weapons before a Dallas, Texas rally for Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama has been criticised by local police.
The Star-Telegram, a leading Dallas newspaper, reports that the order to put down the metal detectors and stop checking purses and bags came as a surprise to several Dallas police officers.
The deputy police chief says he was concerned, but added the people seemed to be a 'friendly crowd.'
The Secret Service did not return a call from the Star-Telegram seeking comment.
Verbal Texas shootout
Democratic contenders Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton clashed sharply in a debate in Austin, Texas, last night in the US primary race.
The latest opinion poll shows both candidates in a tie in the Lone Star State, ahead of its crucial primary on 4 March.
Last night's debate was pitched as a crucial opportunity for Senator Clinton to regain momentum in a campaign which has seen her lose 11 straight primaries and caucuses since Super Tuesday to Mr Obama.
In an evenly matched and substantive debate, both candidates staked out their differences on healthcare and foreign policy.
However the sharp rhetoric that has recently characterised the candidates' campaign speeches did make its way into the debate.
Referring to controversy about a speech in which Senator Obama liberally borrowed lines from another politician, Senator Clinton received boos from the audience after she said: 'That's not change you can believe in; that's change you can Xerox.'
But the debate did end with a warm handshake between both candidates.
Meanwhile an ABC News opinion poll for the state of Texas out today shows the race evenly tied.
In Ohio, the same poll shows Senator Clinton with a narrow lead of seven points.
