HPD Promoting Bible and God on Official Website

BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS, FOR THEY SHALL BE CALLED THE CHILDREN OF GOD Matthew 5:9 The Bible quote and graphics above are linked directly from official website of the Honolulu Police Department.

Note: The following is a letter of complaint from HCSSC to Police Chief Lee Donohue demanding the immediate removal of the Bible quote and other religious messages from the HPD website.

Saturday, August 31, 2002

Lee D. Donohue, Chief of Police
Honolulu Police Department
801 South Beretania Street
Honolulu, Hawaii 96813

RE: Religion and the Honolulu Police Department
Page 1 of 1 sent via fax this date to (808) 529-3028

Dear Chief Donohue:

Hawaii Citizens for the Separation of State and Church recently received a complaint regarding religious content published on the official web site of the Honolulu Police Department at http://www.honolulupd.org.

After a thorough search and review of the website, it is clear that a considerable number of pages include religious content which violates the constitutional separation of state and church.

The most blatant example is the repeated use of the following Bible passage on numerous pages:

"BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS, FOR THEY SHALL BE CALLED
THE CHILDREN OF GOD" -- Matthew 5:9

Another example, this from an "Inside HPD" story about Police Officers as "Citizens", reads as follows:

"Truth, strength and conviction are the ideals that I may give, service dedication and commitment are the tenets by which I live. I have taken an oath of service by this creed I will stand, to obey the laws of my God and to protect the rights of man."

First of all, police officers do not "obey the laws of God" -- they obey the laws of our government. And secondly, to publish religious messages on a taxpayer-funded website, or anywhere else on government property, facilities, or materials, is a violation of the Constitution of the United States.

HCSSC hereby demands the immediate removal all Bible quotations and other religious content from the Honolulu Police Department's official website. We also demand that religious content be removed from any other materials, publications, or facilities under HPD control.

Sincerely,

<signature>

Mitchell Kahle
President

CC: Mayor Jeremy Harris
ACLU of Hawaii

NOTE: The following is a second letter of complaint from HCSSC to Police Chief Lee Donohue demanding the immediate removal of religious poetry from the HPD website.

Monday, September 2, 2002

Lee D. Donohue, Chief of Police
Honolulu Police Department
801 South Beretania Street
Honolulu, Hawaii 96813

RE: Religious Poetry Published on HPD Website; Page 1 of 2 sent via fax this date to 529-3028

Dear Chief Donohue:

This is a follow-up letter regarding the Bible verse and religious messages publishing on the official website of the Honolulu Police Department.

The following are excerpts from poems written by Officer Eddie Croom were copied directly from the official HPD website. Links to the following poems are posted at www.honolulupd.org/news/poets.htm.

IN YOUR EYES

"To be a member of this fraternity takes a special kind, not supermen or superwomen, just Human Beings dedicated to doing the best they can to abide by the laws of God, and to uphold the laws of man."

HELP

"To allow the destruction of our future, all of us must one day atone... For without a soul, we are truly alone."

GIFTS

"I am a Police Officer, and with these Gifts of WISDOM, COURAGE, HUMILITY, PATIENCE, and FAITH I will strive to be the best that I can, to live by the laws of God and uphold the laws of man."

THE ROLL CALL - DEDICATED TO THE FALLEN:

"It was their dedication to duty and justice, to their fellow man, and to their God that we should bring to mind, and their legacy of service that will last for all time."

"For Just as darkness must follow the light, for the good of the many For my family, For my Brothers, For my God, My Life...."

MY CODE OF ETHICS

"Truth, strength and conviction are the ideals that I may give, service dedication and commitment are the tenets by which I live. I have taken an oath of service by this creed I will stand, to obey the laws of my God and to protect the rights of man."

A ROOKIE'S PRAYER

"Give me the Wisdom to know and do what is right, to serve with Strength, Understanding, courage and not just might."

"And finally, if in the line of duty I should fall, give me the Peace that comes to those who have done their best, for the path they had chosen given their all."

According to the HPD website: "Items appearing in the Poets Corner, are written by and are the property of: Officer Eddie Croom, 801 South Beretania Street, Honolulu Hawaii 96813."

Although it appears that Officer Croom wrote the poems, it is nonetheless improper for the Honolulu Police Department to publish religious poetry on its official website or elsewhere on government property using taxpayer-funded resources such a computer systems, software, and websites. The street address given for Officer Croom is the address of the Honolulu Police Department, not his personal address.

If Officer Croom wishes to compose religious poetry on his own time, that is his right. We hereby demand, however, that Officer Croom cease and desist from using government time and resources to compose and publish religious poetry on the official website of the Honolulu Police Department. This activity is highly improper and clearly violates the Constitution of the United States. It may also be illegal, if Officer Croom has used government time to compose and publish the religious poems.

We hereby reiterate our earlier demand that all Bible quotations, religious messages, and poems must be immediately removed from HPD's official website and anywhere else where religious material may be published or displayed under departmental jurisdiction.

If you have any questions, please call me directly at 524-6208. Your prompt attention to this matter is greatly appreciated.

Sincerely,

<signature>

Mitchell Kahle
President

CC: Mayor Jeremy Harris

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