PORTLAND, Ore. -- A Portland police officer may be fired for lying about weight loss surgery despite privacy protection for medical procedures.

Officer Christina Nelson claimed she was having gallbladder surgery because she didn't want other officers to know about her stomach-band surgery.

A police emergency fund awarded Nelson $1,000 to help cover costs for gallbladder surgery after an employee assistance program staffer asked her about it over the phone.

Chief Rosie Sizer has recommended firing Nelson for untruthfulness. But Nelson never signed the form for the $1,000 award, and the special fund doesn't require officers to reveal medical information.

The Multnomah County district attorney's office has declined to prosecute because Nelson didn't sign any paper making a false statement.

But Mayor Tom Potter has signed a termination order to fire Nelson.