An open question to Mayor Loomis and Council Members:
Oro Valley Police Department’s Code of Ethics state that their “badge is a symbol of public faith and …as public trust…”. This statement indicates the OVPD sees itself as servants of the public sector.
However, at the end of the OVPD 2008 Police Awards, this quote appears,
“Honest hearts produce honest actions.” Brigham Young.
The First Amendment of the United States Constitution which reads, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion…” provides for the defined separation of church and state. Quoting Young on the website of public employees appears to endorse Young’s philosophy.
Is this what Oro Valley wants to promulgate to its constituents, that the Town is guided by Young’s philosophy?
Or is Young the beacon that guides only the police department not the whole Town government?
The mixing of the religious philosophy, no matter how great the contribution of its author may be viewed, in the public area of Law Enforcement violates the US Constitutional right of the separation of church and state.
Public tax dollars pay for police salaries. Oro Valley residents represent a multitude of different religious backgrounds. As a tax payer and US citizen, I am offended by any singular religious philosophy’s endorsement by public government. It divides rather than unifies constituents.
Mayor Loomis and Council Members, please explain your position on this for all the residents of Oro Valley.
Thank you,
Michelle Saxer
Oro Valley resident
