Nonprofit claims Bible verse painted on police department wall unconstitutional

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Words painted on a wall in the Bartlett Police Department have led to a complaint. Now, a letter has been sent to the police chief, demanding a Bible verse be taken down.

Posts on social media from the Bartlett Police Department welcome two new employees, but the words behind them are causing a complaint.

The Freedom from Religion Foundation, a nonprofit working as a state and church watchdog, based in Wisconsin, sent a letter to Chief of Police Jeff Cox, requesting the department paint over the bible verse.

The verse is Matthew 5:9 which reads, “Blessed are the peacemakers. They shall be called the children of God.”

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“This statement seems to imply that God gives them their power, not the government, not the people,” said Hirsh Joshi, Attorney for the Freedom from Religion Foundation.

Joshi says that Bible verse is unconstitutional.

“The separation between church and state, that’s exactly what we are arguing here. By having the bible on their walls the BPD disrespects the separation between church and state,” said Joshi.

They complained about this after seeing some of the posts and ads with employees in front of that quote.

When asked what comes next, Joshi replied, “We hope the BPD will respect our nation’s constitution, but from there we will have to see.”

We have reached out to the City, the mayor, and the Barlett Police Department to find out what their next steps are. BPD said they have no comment.

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