Officer Who Refused to Work Gay Pride Parade Resigns

SALT LAKE CITY - A Salt Lake City police officer who rejected an assignment riding a motorcycle at the front of last weekend's gay pride parade and was put on leave has now resigned.

Salt Lake City police officials said Tuesday they received written notification of the officer's resignation. The officer, whose name is being withheld, was put on leave last week after police said he refused to provide traffic control at Sunday's parade. Police said they would not tolerate bias and bigotry.

Bret Rawson, an attorney hired by the officer, said this week that police defamed his client. Rawson said his client didn't refuse to work, but asked to be reassigned other duties because he felt uncomfortable being viewed as an advocate for gay pride.

Rawson said the officer stepped down because of untenable work conditions.