Indianapolis, Ind. – Earlier today, a 14-year veteran state police officer was fired for a second complaint, in less than 18 months.

Senior Trooper Brian L. Hamilton, tried to convert citizens to his religion after stopping them for a traffic violation. This was in direct violation of an August 2014 counseling statement where Hamilton was told in writing that, “during the course of his official duties, S/Trp. Hamilton will not question others regarding their religious beliefs nor provide religious pamphlets or similar advertisements.”

This resulted in a lawsuit that named the Indiana State Police as a defendant, and was brought to a close in April 2015.

The most recent allegation of Hamilton questioning a citizen’s religious beliefs, while on duty, was reported in a citizen complaint on Jan. 14, 2016. This resulted in an internal investigation on Jan. 15, 2016. 

Totally separate from the Indiana State Police internal investigation, and without the knowledge of the Indiana State Police, the Indiana Civil Liberties Union (ICLU) was preparing a lawsuit against Hamilton as an individual. The lawsuit became a public record on April 6, 2016. 

On April 7, 2016 the hearing for Hamilton was held, as originally planned, after which Indiana State Police Superintendent Doug Carter met with Hamilton and formally ended his employment with the Indiana State Police.

Superintendent Doug Carter said, “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.” Carter continued, “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.”

Carter concluded, “Making the decision to end a person’s career is not a decision I make without considerable thought. I truly wish Brian the best in his future and the ability to follow his heart.”

Captain David Bursten, the Chief Public Information Officer for the state police said, “It needs to be clearly understood that the state police internal investigation and the public announcement of the ICLU lawsuit against Mr. Hamilton are independent and separate issues.” Bursten concluded, “The internal investigation was initiated, conducted, concluded and scheduled for the April 7th hearing over two weeks prior to the state police having any knowledge of the ICLU lawsuit. Today’s termination of Hamilton’s employment with the state police was the result of a thorough internal investigation and would have occurred regardless of any legal action initiated by the ICLU against Mr. Hamilton.”

Bruson writes for the (Indiana) Washington Times Herald.