Religion
Related: About this forumBriarwood Presbyterian Church seeks lawmakers approval to establish police force
by Lauren Walsh
Thursday, February 16th 2017
Briarwood Presbyterian Church in Vestavia Hills is trying to establish its own police force.
The move requires approval from state lawmakers. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Arnold Mooney (R-Shelby County) cleared its first major hurdle Wednesday. The House Public Safety Committee gave its OK.
Briarwood Presbyterian Church calls this a way to create a safer campus in a fallen world.
Some lawmakers argue allowing a private church to have its own police force could begin a slippery slope.
“What do we do when other church affiliates come and ask for the same thing?” questioned Rep. Mary Moore (D-Birmingham). “They're not a college. They're a church and they're a church asking for police jurisdiction.”
http://abc3340.com/news/local/briarwood-presbyterian-church-seeks-lawmakers-approval-to-establish-police-force
1:52 video at link.
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Stuckinthebush
(10,847 posts)I live in the town next door. They have been pushing for their own police force for a bit now. It's just a matter of time...they will get it.
rug
(82,333 posts)Stuckinthebush
(10,847 posts)But Briarwood is a mega church with lots of political power. If other mega churches such as Church of the Highlands see an opportunity for themselves in this, then they will throw their support behind it. If that happens it's a done deal. Alabama is a theocracy in many respects. What the churches want the churches get.
Freedomofspeech
(4,227 posts)Most Presbyterians used to be good liberals. Why aren't these stupid churches paying taxes?
Stuckinthebush
(10,847 posts)They broke from the PCUSA in the 70s over ordination of women. The PCA (Presbyterian Church of America) is a right wing, evangelical denomination. The PCUSA is a mostly moderate to left leaning denomination.
I believe that Briarwood was an original member of the PCA or one of the early churches that moved. If I remember correctly there was a nasty legal battle over PCUSA property when these churches left.
Briarwood is scary to me. They have a large church based school. One of the reasons for wanting their own police force was due to an incident at the school last year or the year before. There was a massive drug ring and bust at that school. It was very embarrassing for the church and the police were, rightfully so, taking charge of investigations. The church wanted autonomy in those investigations in order to keep it quiet as needed. The State said hell no. Then we wound up with a push for their own police force.
hrmjustin
(71,265 posts)
muriel_volestrangler
(101,336 posts)Is there any crime inside the church? Do people have their belongings stolen during services? Is someone cooking the books? Do fights break out?
Or is this a desire for fancier uniforms for security guards, and a title for a mid-level functionary?
rug
(82,333 posts)“They will conduct their own investigations,” explained Rowe. “They will conduct their own security. They will make their own arrests and instead of calling on the local law enforcement agency to take over the particular situation they're trying to control, they will do that themselves. All they will utilize from their other law enforcement agencies is their lock up facilities.”
Rowe says she would also consider requests from other churches to do the same.
This article has a more explicit rationale:
The legislation states that Briarwood would be able to employ "one or more persons to act as police officers to protect the safety and integrity of the church and its ministries. Persons employed as police officers ... shall be charged with all of the duties and invested with all of the powers of law enforcement officers in this state."
http://www.shelbylegislators.com/meet-the-delegation/25-news/152-rep-farley-briarwood-presbyterian-police.html
muriel_volestrangler
(101,336 posts)It seems to be an admission of failure, as a church. You'd think it'd have a smaller crime problem than the average bit of the community.
Is it possible it's to prevent an investigation into a financial scam? To claim they have jurisdiction?
rug
(82,333 posts)I haven't heard anything about a pending financial scandal but you never know. It really is a damn strange move. They'll end up with a police department before they have a homeless shelter.
