BELLINGHAM, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – A former Bellingham Police officer is suing the city over its COVID-19 vaccine mandate that got him fired.

Josh Wilson filed the lawsuit on April 3, alleging that the City of Bellingham discriminated against him when he applied for a religious exemption from the vaccine.

Governor Jay Inslee and previous Bellingham Mayor Seth Fleetwood both issued respective orders requiring all state and city employees to be vaccinated in fall 2021. Both orders allowed employees to apply for a religious accommodation for “sincerely held religious beliefs.”

Wilson applied for the exemption, stating that his religious beliefs prevented him from taking the COVID-19 vaccine and were in conflict with the city’s mandate. The city went on to accept Wilson’s beliefs against the vaccine but denied his exemption request.

He was fired from his position about two months after applying for the religious accommodation. Wilson claims the city violated state law by discriminating against him based on his religious beliefs.

Wilson is asking the court to find that the city improperly implemented its accommodation process and award him lost wages and other compensation. The City of Bellingham disputes Wilson’s claims and says its actions were non-discriminatory.

Wilson is one of four former Bellingham police officers who have sued over the vaccine mandate.