The Johnson City Police Department in Tennessee is taking steps to ensure it is abiding by the Constitution regarding its “Adopt-a-Cop” program.
FFRF Staff Attorney Andrew Seidel sent a letter on Dec. 8 objecting to the program, in which community members “adopt” a police officer, and includes praying for the officer every day.
In a Feb. 2 response, an attorney for the department acknowledged that the department could have done more “to dispel the public’s perception that the department itself was operating and ‘pushing’ this program,” and assured FFRF that the department recognized its obligation to separate church and state.
