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The law approved two weeks ago allows the Birmingham-based mega-church to set-up a private law enforcement department which would have the same powers as regular police.
United States (U.S.) governor from the southern state of Alabama, Kay Ivey, has signed a law permitting Briarwood Presbyterian Church to establish its own police force for its church and school campuses.
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The law approved two weeks ago allows the Birmingham-based mega-church to set-up a private law enforcement department which would have the same powers as regular police.
According to a church statement, the private police will allow them to protect the institution’s average 3,500 worshipers, as well as Briarwood Christian School, a private K-12 institution, with an enrollment of about 2,000 students.
However, executive director of the ACLU of Alabama, Randall Marshall, says the law could allow the church to cover-up criminal activity that occurs on its campuses yet expects the legislation to be challenged in the courts.
A similar measure was first proposed four years ago but then dismissed in 2017 as it unconstitutionally grants the government power to a religious institution, in violation of the Establishment Clause.
The new policy is scheduled to go into effect this fall.
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