UTAH: Cop Who Refused To Work Pride Parade Threatens To Sue For Defamation

There’s more to this story. Via the Salt Lake Tribune:

A Salt Lake City police officer says the department defamed him and violated his rights when he was put on leave after a conflict over his assignment at Sunday’s Utah Pride Parade. “He feels that the same protections that afford individuals to participate in a parade like we had yesterday, are the very constitutional protections that were not afforded to him,” Bret Rawson, the officer’s attorney, said Monday. Rawson said the officer did not refuse his assignment — to join other motorcycle officers in choreographed maneuvers at the beginning of the parade — but instead asked his commanders for a “less conspicuous” role at the parade, such as traffic enforcement or security. “The officer simply felt that the level of participation required in the event could be perceived as endorsing or advocating in favor of the LGBTQ community, a position which made him uncomfortable, given his personal and religious beliefs,” Rawson wrote.

The Salt Lake City police department has declined to comment on the officer’s claims, citing their having been notified of pending litigation.