Sometimes you get an inspector that thinks he has that kind of authority, and gets away with it most of the time because people he pushes around like that don't know any better, or they are just wanting to make him happy to get the job done faster or something like that. Reality is he should have a published standard to go by, and when questioned he needs to be able to reference that standard. It may be poor practice for him to just say something is in that standard, but should someone challenge him that does know the standard he better know it as well. If he abuses his "power" too much eventually the right person or group of people will find a way to bring him down. If he doesn't abuse his "power" he is still human and can make mistakes, and is willing to take a hit once in a while to learn, that guy gets much more respect from those he inspects for.