Chesterton Tribune

 

 

Indiana State Police trooper sued again over proselytizing women during traffic stops

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INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — An Indiana State Police trooper faces a second lawsuit accusing him of preaching his faith to citizens while on duty.

Wendy Pyle filed a federal lawsuit Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Indianapolis against trooper Brian Hamilton, who works out of the Pendleton post, claiming he violated her civil rights. She's being represented by the American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana.

The case stems from a January traffic stop in which Hamilton gave Pyle a warning ticket for speeding, The Herald Bulletin reported.

During the traffic stop, Hamilton asked Pyle what church she attended and whether she was saved, according to the lawsuit.

"In order to hopefully end these inquiries, Ms. Pyle indicated that she did attend a church and that she was saved," the lawsuit states.

Hamilton then invited Pyle to his church, Pyle alleges.

Pyle, who lives in Fayette County, filed a formal complaint with Indiana State Police and was later told that Hamilton had placed her on a prayer list at his church, her lawsuit says.

Pyle claims Hamilton's preaching was upsetting and unreasonably prolonged the traffic stop.

In 2014, Hamilton was sued over a similar traffic stop in which driver Ellen Bogan of Huntington accused him of violating her constitutional rights.

Bogan alleged that Hamilton asked her several times about her religious beliefs and that she didn't feel she could leave or refuse to answer with his squad car parked behind her car. She claimed that Hamilton gave her a pamphlet from First Baptist Church in Cambridge City, which asks readers to acknowledge being a sinner, and advertised a radio broadcast titled "Policing for Jesus Ministries."

A settlement in that case involved Hamilton receiving employee counseling behavior that discouraged proselytizing behavior, according to Pyle's lawsuit.

Pyle is seeking punitive damages and attorney fees. She also wants a jury trial.

 

Posted 4/6/2016

 
 
 

 

 

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