Indiana State Trooper Who Was “Policing For Jesus” Fired; Tried to Convert Drivers

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Indiana State Trooper Who Was “Policing For Jesus” Fired; Tried to Convert Drivers

April 14th, 2016

Awake Goy

An Indiana state trooper has been fired after drivers complained that he gave them more than tickets and a lecture about road rules after pulling them over — he also shared a little religion on the roadside, in one case asking a woman if she had “accepted Jesus Christ as her savior.”

The State Police said on Friday that the trooper, Brian L. Hamilton, a 14-year veteran, was let go on Thursday for repeatedly proselytizing and for handing out a religious pamphlet during traffic stops.

The authorities said his termination was based on a complaint in January that said he had questioned a driver’s religious affiliations after pulling over the vehicle — the second time in about 18 months that the State Police were aware he had done so.

After a similar episode in 2014, officials said, Trooper Hamilton was formally told not to question drivers about their religious beliefs or try to convert them.

The State Police superintendent, Douglas G. Carter, said in a statement, “While I respect Mr. Hamilton’s religious views, I am also charged to respect every citizen’s rights, and the best way forward for the citizens of Indiana, and for Mr. Hamilton, was to end his employment as a state police officer.”

This is an artist’s rendering of what the stops probably looked like.

A call on Friday to a telephone number associated with Mr. Hamilton in Connersville was answered by a man who said the former trooper was not talking to reporters; he also did not reply to questions about a lawyer.

The State Police gave no further details about the two cases, but Indiana court documents shined some light on the trooper’s proselytizing.

On Aug. 9, 2014, the trooper pulled over Ellen Bogan, who was traveling north on Highway 27 in Union County, which is in the eastern part of the state. Trooper Hamilton, who was driving south, did a U-turn and pulled up behind her with flashing lights. She stopped on the shoulder.

Trooper Hamilton told Ms. Bogan through the window that she had been pulled over for an illegal pass. When he handed back her license and gave her a warning ticket, he then sought her permission before asking her personal questions, including whether she had a “home church” and if she had “accepted Jesus Christ as her savior.”

Ms. Bogan said she felt as if she could not leave or refuse to answer, the complaint said.

The trooper then gave her a pamphlet for First Baptist Church in Cambridge City, which outlines “God’s Plan for Salvation,” which requires a person to acknowledge being a sinner, among other things. It also advertised a weekly radio broadcast called“Policing for Jesus Ministries.” The complaint said she found the questioning and proselytizing “extremely upsetting.”

That case was later settled, partly with the condition that the trooper undergo counseling.

The American Civil Liberties Union in Indiana provided a copy of the complaint.

Another such traffic stop occurred in January, and that led to a complaint filed on April 5 by the civil liberties union in district court requesting a hearing and damages.

Wendy Pyle, a resident of Fayette County, said she was approached by Trooper Hamilton after she pulled into her driveway. He blocked her vehicle from behind and gave her a warning ticket for speeding. He then asked her what church she attended and whether she “was saved,” the complaint said. She said yes to both questions to “hopefully end the inquiries.”

Trooper Hamilton then gave her the name of the church he attends — and directions there.

The complaint called the proselytizing by Trooper Hamilton “ coercive,” adding: “It was unwanted. It was also extremely upsetting.”

A spokesman for the State Police, Capt. David R. Bursten, said Friday that residents had called or emailed expressing both support for and opposition to the trooper’s firing. He said the force of about 1,200 included Jews, Muslims, Christians “and probably things we are not aware of.”

Captain Bursten added, “I don’t think any of us wants to live in a society where any of those officers, on a whim, can turn on red or blue lights and pull you to the side of the road and then try to convert you to their religion.”

In the complaint from Ms. Pyle, she said she was later approached by a member of the church who said that the trooper had added her name to a prayer list.