Utah police officer refuses to work Pride Parade, placed on leave

KSL.com is reporting a police officer assigned to perform traffic control and security for Utah Pride Parade has been placed on leave after refusing the assignment.

"We don't tolerate bias and bigotry in the department, and assignments are assignments," said department spokeswoman Lara Jones.

The officer is on paid administrative leave as the internal affairs unit reviews the situation, Jones said. He had been given a traffic control and public safety assignment.

"We serve a variety of community events with similar functions, and to allow personal opinion to enter into whether an officer will take a post is not something that can be tolerated in a police department," Jones said.

The police department has provided these services since the parade began. In addition, several Salt Lake City police officers, including the Police Chief, have marched in the Parade.