All electrical inspectors have authority. The question is, How do they use it? Is it about their ego or about the work and safety for the customer?
A combination of traits and associated technical training and experience should help produce an individual highly qualified in the profession of electrical inspection.
The performance requirements for equipment grounding are provided in Section 250.4(A)(2) for grounded systems, and 250.4(B)(1) for ungrounded systems.