Maryland —
An area resident reported that on Oct. 4, 2024, the department hosted a religious worship event, “Faith and Blue.” The event was held in partnership with Chesapeake Church and invited citizens to “Join us as we pray God’s blessings upon those who have chosen to stand upon the Thin Blue Line.” FFRF also learned that the department frequently posted religious imagery on its official Facebook page.
“The Department’s apparent promotion and favoritism of religion poses serious constitutional concerns,” FFRF Staff Attorney Madeline Ziegler wrote in November. “By hosting and promoting ‘Faith and Blue,’ the Department signals a clear preference for religion over nonreligion.”
After FFRF’s letter, the Kaprinski, Cornbrooks & Karp law firm responded on behalf of the department in January. Kevin Karpinski apologized for the delay, noting that Sheriff Cox had forwarded FFRF’s letter the day it had been received, and he had merely forgotten to respond. “As requested, the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office personnel have been directed to refrain from hosting religious events and promoting religion on the Sheriff’s Office’s social media page,” Karpinski wrote. He encouraged FFRF to reach out if there were any further issues.
