Freedom from Religion Foundation Requests Sheriff Stop Evangelizing

Monroe County Sheriff Kevin Crook is being asked to stop sharing his faith through official police media and communication channels.

The Freedom from Religion Foundation, FFRF, has been informed that Sheriff Crook frequently uses the Monroe County Sheriff's Office social media channels to share about his faith. The Facebook page frequently posts faith-based messages and other content, while the Sheriff's page on the Monroe County website states "In God We Trust."

Monroe County Sheriff's Office former profile picture on Facebook.Photo byMonroe County Sheriff's Office

In 2022, the Monroe County Sheriff's Office changed its profile picture on Facebook to a photograph of a Sheriff's vehicle parked behind three crosses for the Easter holiday.

FFRF Staff Attorney Chris Line has written to Crook to urge him and the rest of the Sheriff's Office to refrain from using professional public communication channels to share personal beliefs about faith and religion. Line wrote, "“It is an abuse of power for you to use your position and the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office’s resources to promote your personal religious beliefs and proselytize to Monroe County’s citizens.”

In a press release, FFRF states that posting faith-based content on a public sheriff's office page promotes a message that those from other religions are potentially not welcome in Monroe County, and will potentially not be protected and made to feel safe by law enforcement officers in the county.

The Freedom from Religion Foundation is a national nonprofit organization. About 40,000 people are members across the nation, including members that are Mississippi residents. The press release states that the FFRF purposes are "to protect the constitutional principles of separation between church and state and to educate the public on matters relating to nontheism."