Last Thursday, Indiana State Police ( ISP ) terminated the appointment of a Senior Trooper, Brian L. Hamilton, after a 2nd complaint in 18 months that he was preaching to citizens after stopping them for traffic violations.
State police say this was in direct violation of an August 2014 counseling statement where Hamilton was told in writing, “During the course of his official duties, Hamilton will not question others regarding their religious beliefs nor provide religious pamphlets or similar advertisements.”
The most recent traffic stop happened in January of this year. But Hamilton was sued in September of 2014 in a similar case, which was settled. The ACLU filed a lawsuit Tuesday on behalf of a Fayette County woman, Wendy Pyle, saying her constitutional rights were violated.
The lawsuit alleged Hamilton pulled the woman over for speeding and gave her a warning. He then asked her what church she went to and if she was saved. He then invited her to his church and even gave directions.
ISP spokesman Captain David Bursten said, “It needs to be clearly understood that the state police internal investigation and the public announcement of the ICLU lawsuit against Hamilton are independent and separate issues.” The termination of Hamilton’s employment with the state police would still have occurred regardless of any legal action initiated against him…. I hope he takes ds as a lesson learnt….
