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Thursday, February 24, 2011

Tulsa police officer files lawsuit over attending mosque event

Capt. Fields did not want to be required to attend a "community outreach" event at the local  mosque, even if it was to thank law enforcment for the help against a recent threat against the mosque.  To volunteer is one thing but a requirement is another.  He is suing in federal court on his free speech rights being violated. 

Good luck Captain, let's hope you prevail.


From Tulsa World Feb 24 by David Harper

Tulsa police officer files lawsuit over attending mosque event

A Tulsa police captain who refused to require that some of his subordinates attend an upcoming Law Enforcement Appreciation Day at a Tulsa mosque filed a federal lawsuit Wednesday, claiming that his First Amendment rights have been violated.

Capt. Paul Fields also claims that Deputy Chief Daryl Webster - the sole defendant in the case at this point - retaliated against him for his "exercise of his First Amendment Rights" and singled Fields out for disparate treatment.

Fields asked for $1 in nominal damages on each of his two claims, attorneys' fees and whatever other relief "the court deems just and proper under the circumstances."

Fields was temporarily transferred Monday afternoon from the Police Department's Riverside Division to another patrol shift at the Mingo Valley Division.

The Law Enforcement Appreciation Day is to be held at the mosque of the Islamic Society of Tulsa on March 4. Police Chief Chuck Jordan has said the society scheduled the event to show its appreciation for the officers' response to a recent threat against it.

Nothing about Islamic threats against non-Muslims, though.

In an e-mail sent by Tulsa Fraternal Order of Police Board of Directors Chairman Clay Ballenger to FOP members on Monday, Ballenger said Fields' refusal "was based on the 1st Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, departmental policy, and past practices of the Tulsa Police Department."

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