At the beginning of another day at work, our lineup meeting concluded, I went to my locker to retrieve my motorcycle helmet and begin my shift. I picked up the helmet and noticed a tiny picture stuck to the back. I scowled and wondered how long it had been there. Everyone had about two inches behind their helmet to express a little individuality with a sticker of their choosing. Some attached a sports team icon, or a word, or a picture that carried significance for that officer. I had chosen a Superman sticker, which to me, represented hope.

However, this day a crudely drawn angel blowing a trumpet was swapped with my Superman symbol. I sensed someone watching and turned. Officer Lewis stood just inside the small room, smirking. I glared. She said, “What’s your problem?” I shoved my helmet to another officer who was standing nearby, arms folded, grinning. “Did you do this?” I asked him. Officer Lewis laughed, a smug, nasally cackle. “That’s funny. I wish I had thought of it.” She sauntered past me, grabbed her gear, and left.

Near the end of May 2014, rumors began to circulate regarding who would be assigned to the annual Utah Gay Pride Parade. Usually, officers at the low end of the seniority list were assigned these duties. Given my relative newness to motors, I’d likely be assigned to the parade, which I didn’t foresee as a huge problem. However, it was an overtime event and not part of my 40-hour workweek. I wasn’t super keen on getting the extra time since it was on a Sunday, of all days. Between the bicycle squad and motor squad, I had probably provided security for over thirty free speech events, everything from Race for the Cure to Occupy Salt Lake, from anti-police protests to LGBT gatherings, so on and so forth.

As more details regarding the parade trickled out through the grape vine, my suspicion was confirmed. I would indeed be assigned to ride my motorcycle in the parade. Usually, this meant providing a wedge formation at the head of the parade to clear the streets, ensuring the safety of those participating in the parade. I’d done this before. Not a huge deal.

Then more information came to light. This year would be different. Those riding motorcycles would not only clear the way for security purposes, but would be required to participate in the parade, conducting choreographed stunts for the crowd’s entertainment. This revelation created an uneasy feeling in the back of my mind and on my heart. I was okay executing my police duties to protect the event, but participate in the parade? That had not been done before.

I had no problem with the LGBT community as a whole, or as individual people. In fact, I had been in the news in 2009 protecting them. “Utah Gay Kiss Police Report Sides With Couple,” according to On Top Magazine, which told the story of how I “sided” with two men detained by Church security. The men were slightly inebriated, kissing in public on LDS church property at Temple Square in downtown Salt Lake City. Church security had detained the two men and called police. Out of dozens of officers on duty, of course I was the one dispatched. Although technically the gay couple broke the law, I felt their actions did not amount to public intox and did not warrant taking them to jail.In fact, I probably would have let the two men off with only a warning, but the pressure of hitting our numbers always loomed, so I cited them for trespassing as the property was, in fact, owned by the church. They were asked to leave. I removed their handcuffs and thanked the two men for being respectful to me when I showed up on the scene. I was a member of the church, but I did not let that membership shape the way I conducted myself in my police capacity. My guide was local law and Salt Lake PD policy and procedures.

All that said, parts of the gay agenda did conflict with my religious beliefs and personal convictions. The more I learned about our role in the upcoming parade, the more uneasy I became. I discovered that the department was getting$900 for the “service.” What, were we a police force for hire now? Would we be forced to do maneuvers for the Westboro Baptist Church for $900? No, how about a cool thousand? Would the department force pro-life officers to perform in a pro-abortion parade? Would the department now have to lead the KKK parade if they came marching through? How would we have a leg to stand on if we excluded one group over another? Who was to say which political causes were legitimate or not? This was why police had to be neutral and not used as political pawns. Justice was supposed to be blind, not subjective supportive of one group over another.

I recalled that in last year’s pride parade, Chief Cainam had worn the gay pride rainbow over his uniform, despite that being against uniform policy.The department had also ordered officers to hand out stickers with the pride rainbow draped over the police department badge to the kids in attendance. Yes, I thought, this is for real. The rumors were true. We would be forced to participate in support of the parade.

After a few days of reflection, I decided that the easiest way out was simply to ask another officer for a trade. We did it all the time. Our squad policy was that we could trade out from two events per year, regardless of the reason.Even my own sergeant, Jackman, got out of the event that day.

On May 29, 2014, at 5:00 pm, I entered the motorcycle shed to start my shift, found the officer I was looking for, and said, “Hey, man, would you mind taking my spot at the head of the parade? I’ll do your security post.” I explained to him my reservation. The officer shrugged, then said, “Ya, no problem. I get it.” I exhaled with relief. “Thanks, bro. I appreciate it.”

I noticed Officer Lewis near the door that led inside. She was listening to our conversation and glaring at me, but didn’t say anything. She spun and walked back inside. Whatever, I thought. The trade has already been made. I felt a weight lift from my shoulders. I smiled and headed for my motorcycle. About an hour later, an email came down the chain of command from the motor Sergeant Weiner regarding the Gay Pride event. At the bottom of the email, it stated: “…Unfortunately, no bumping or trading…will be permitted. This has only been permitted in the past when having a pre-approved excusal from the event itself.”

Why now, after 100 years of policy, was this order issued? I had never seen an email like it. Why would he send an email saying “No trading”, if he didn’t already know a trade had been in place? He wouldn’t have. This was the smoking gun, and the reasoning was transparent. They wanted to force me to go against my beliefs, and perhaps others like me, into doing what they wanted. For their agenda. For their secular irreligion. I bowed my head, shoulders sagging, and sighed heavily.

  Well, I thought, I guess I’m in the parade. Except I wouldn’t be in the parade. A few days before the event, I wouldn’t even have my badge. I would never work for the Salt Lake City Police Department again.

Part of my official email back to the Sergeant a week before the parade happened.

XXXXX,

“I have no uneasy feelings working any other assignment on this day at the event; security, parade post, traffic, etc.  I do take issue about doing maneuvers; because it looks like we (and I) are in support.  I don’t think it’s a good idea they use our police agency to do this. I would have these same feelings if, and even though it’s legal, about being in an abortion parade, etc; I would feel extremely uncomfortable being a spectacle and would ask that you please allow me the choice for someone to trade me for whatever reason, if at all possible…

To be clear as well, I do not hate gay people. I love them like I love humanity. I just disagree with this particular movement, like I do abortion…There is a giant difference between working a traffic post as police and being in a parade on display. Especially if the officer has the choice to switch someone.”

Officer Moutsos

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