Former officer is suing Bellingham for discrimination after refusing to vaccinate

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

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

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

Wilson applied for the waiver, stating that his religious beliefs prevented him from taking the COVID-19 vaccine and were contrary to the city’s mandate. The city accepted Wilson’s views against the vaccine but denied his request for an exemption.

He was dismissed from his position approximately 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 housing process and award him lost wages and other compensation. The city of Bellingham disputes Wilson’s claims, saying her actions were non-discriminatory.

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