Police Officers Resign After Being Told to Choose Their Jobs Over Their Faith

by Warner Todd Huston | May 24, 2015 11:15 am

Two police officers in Georgia resigned after their bosses demanded they choose their job over their religion.

The two officers had developed a volunteer inmate prayer program that they ran when they were off duty. They went to a local jail to pray with prisoners. But their bosses told them to quit[1] the program or face disciplinary measures.

Every third Thursday, while they were off-duty, former Cartersville Police Officers Sgt. Amanda Pettepher and Investigator David Bojczuk went to Bartow County Jail to offer prayers and read the Bible to inmates who expressed interest.

The Bartow County District Attorney had concerns about a potential risk to criminal cases when police engage in prayers with people who could potentially be suspects in their cases. He said statements made about criminal cases that might be useful in court could be thrown out if a defense attorney cited the Clergy Communication privilege.

When they were forced to give up the ministry program or resign, Pettepher and Bojczuk chose their faith.

The former officers revealed on “Fox and Friends Weekend” today that it was not a difficult decision.

“I knew this was coming,” Bojczuk said. “And I stay close to the Lord. When this all happened, I just started seeking the Lord about it.”

Has this strengthened or weakened your faith? Anna Kooiman asked.

“It strengthened my faith,” Pettepher said. “It’s shown me that God is going to take care of me no matter what, no matter what comes our way.”

Pettepher added she believes that the clergy privilege doesn’t apply in this situation.

They should not have had to resign. What happened to their freedom of religion?