Inspired by the recent church shooting in White Settlement, Texas, in which two parishioners were killed, several police agencies are adopting new take-home vehicle policies that will allow off-duty officers to bring their patrol car to church.
The Walker County Sheriff’s Office announced in a Facebook post that it would authorize and encourage all deputies that attend church to drive their take-home patrol units to church to increase officer presence.
The Lauderdale County Sheriff’s Office is now amending its take-home vehicle policy and allowing off-duty deputies to drive their patrol vehicle to church (or their respective house of worship), reports Times Daily. The amendment was suggested by a deputy, who’s hoping that having patrol cars in church parking lots may be a deterrent.
Unicoi County (Tenn.) Sheriff Mike Hensley told WJHL that he has authorized his deputies to wear their uniforms and drive their patrol vehicles to church services. His office is also offering safety training to any interested churches in the county.
