An Indiana State Police trooper who was accused of proselytizing to a driver during a traffic stop has been fired.
Senior Trooper Brian Hamilton was terminated after a two-month internal investigation into a complaint that he questioned a citizen's religious affiliation, according to The Indianapolis Star.
"While all of us -- citizen and police officer -- enjoy the right to freedom of religion and freedom of speech, there are appropriate and proper restrictions placed on agents of the State related to their actions while engaged in their official duties," State Police Superintendent Doug 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."
The firing of the 14-year veteran comes two days after the American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana filed a federal lawsuit on behalf of a woman who accused the trooper of asking her whether "she had been saved" after pulling her over in January.
The lawsuit claims that Hamilton then told the woman about his church and gave her directions to it.
