OCEAN TOWNSHIP, N.J. —  Township officials have denied a pregnant patrolwoman's request for light duty.

Officer Sonia Henriques is concerned about putting her unborn child at risk and her doctor agrees. She is two months pregnant.

At a council meeting Monday night, Mayor William Larkin said the Monmouth County community should develop a policy to deal with a police officer's pregnancy. Two of the department's 62 officers are women.

Her union says management has told the decorated officer to stay on patrol or take an unpaid leave of absence.

Police Chief Antonio Amodio Jr. tells the Asbury Park Press he's following township policy.

Henriques was awarded a medal of valor for persuading a person who had pointed a loaded gun at her to surrender in December.