Why should we be protecting hypocrisy though? Living in a nation where ones religion gives you protection under the law and allows you to do things others can'

Why should we be protecting hypocrisy though? Living in a nation where ones religion gives you protection under the law and allows you to do things others can't, I don't think you can defend covering up instances of people not living up to the standards they themselves set, and therefore give them special privileges. How is it different to a police officer doing something slightly illegal. Should we respect their privacy or should we hold them to the high standards they supposedly hold?