‘Policing for Jesus’ objector ends suit

INDIANAPOLIS: An Indiana woman who sued a now former state trooper, claiming he violated her civil rights by preaching to her during a traffic stop, wants to end her lawsuit.

A notice filed in federal court this week asks a judge to dismiss Wendy Pyle’s suit, which seeks a jury trial, punitive damages and attorney fees.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana’s legal director, Ken Falk, said yesterday that Pyle wanted to end her lawsuit because “the case was resolved” to her satisfaction.

Pyle sued Brian Hamilton in April, alleging that he violated her civil rights by asking her during a January traffic stop what church she attended and whether she was saved. She said Hamilton’s preaching was upsetting and unreasonably prolonged the traffic stop, during which Hamilton gave Pyle a warning for speeding.

After Pyle filed a formal complaint in January, the agency began an internal investigation and assigned Hamilton to administrative duties.

State Police Superintendent Doug Carter fired Hamilton for insubordination two days after Pyle’s suit was filed, saying he had disobeyed a written order to not preach while on duty.

Hamilton was sued in 2014 following a similar traffic stop in which a woman also accused him of violating her constitutional rights during a traffic stop. She said he gave her a church pamphlet and advertised a radio broadcast, Policing for Jesus Ministries.

On August 29, 2014, Hamilton was given a written order saying that “in the course of his official duties Hamilton will not question others regarding their religious beliefs nor provide religious pamphlets”.

That case was settled April 2015.

Hamilton has no telephone listing and Falk said the ex-trooper did not have an attorney who could speak on his behalf. – AP in