re: Cop Refused to Work at Utah Gay Pride Parade Placed on Leave Under Investigation

I'm perfectly fine with the officer in question being suspended for refusing an assignment. There is absolutely nothing wrong with the police department's decision there. But then we get to the second quote where the PD Chief says they do not tolerate bias or bigotry, and that an internal investigation is underway. That's where Chief Jones loses me. If this officer turned down the assignment on religious grounds then that is his first amendment right. It is still the right of the police department to suspend him from duty for refusing the assignment, but I think they lose the high ground by calling him a bigot and launching an internal investigation.