Shane Housego, Christian McDonald, Chris Sheehy and Steven Rapisarda join lawyer Nicholas Stewart (centre) to lodge papers at the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal in Sydney. Credit:Janie Barrett Aside from a series of "random" workplace drug tests, investigators compiled "behavioral" intelligence on the men, intercepted their communications and carried out surveillance in bars they "regularly visited". However, by November last year, the six-month investigation had found "no direct evidence of drug use" or "related misconduct" against any of the four personnel. And internal police documents have since revealed how two members of Newtown police hierarchy had originally cited "strong supposition" as the supporting reason for a "covert investigation" to be launched. Last week, Christian McDonald, Christopher Sheehy, Shane Housego and Steven Rapisarda filed an application with the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT) for an external review of the force's decision to deny them access to the investigation file. The move coincides with a decision, by the Anti-Discrimination Board of NSW, to "accept for investigation" all four individual complaints of employment based "homosexuality discrimination against the NSW Police Force". "Our clients say they were covertly monitored and targeted for drug testing purely because they identify as homosexual," said Nicholas Stewart from law firm Dowson Turco. "They seek documents that they believe will evidence a discriminatory motivation by NSW Police."

Under scrutiny: Newtown police station Credit:Louise Kennerley On Saturday, a police spokesman said the force had a "zero tolerance" for homophobia and any action which could be deemed a breach of the Anti-Discrimination Act, adding: "This matter is currently subject to legal proceedings which makes it inappropriate to comment." While Senior Constables Housego and Rapisarda have been in a relationship spanning 15 years, the four officers had never previously socialised as a group. All deny using prohibited drugs. In explosive signed statements filed with NCAT they accuse Newtown police hierarchy of having "generated" a "complaint", in May last year, so a "fishing expedition" could target "the only gay officers at Newtown LAC". They further claim that, far from being an isolated case, the incident reflects a "culture of discrimination" rife within the station. Christian McDonald, one of four police officers who who was allegedly victimised at work because of their sexuality. Credit:Janie Barrett In his testimony, Senior Constable McDonald, who has now left the force, recounts a series of flashpoints in which he was allegedly bullied by bosses at the station. In 2013, he was hospitalised and sustained head injuries after falling and hitting his head on a pavement. Upon returning to work, he says he was approached by a manager who remarked: "You should be used to having your head down, arse up in the concrete."

Last year, he requested annual leave for his same-sex marriage anniversary, only to allegedly be told by another superior: "Same sex marriage is not OK with me. It disgusts me." The six month drug investigation against four gay officers was supported by "strong supposition". Credit:Janie Barrett In his statement, Constable Sheehy paints a similar picture: "Since I have worked at Newtown, I have heard a lot of homophobic, negative and derogatory comments made by police officers, particularly among senior officers in management positions. While I have found some of these comments outrageous, I do not feel as if I have been able to report them due to fear of repercussion," he said. Between November and December last year, all four officers received phone calls from a detective senior constable, attached to the NSW Police Professional Standards Command advising they had been the subject of an "anonymous complaint" into the use of prohibited drugs. The manager explained that upon review, there was no case to answer. Bullied: Newtown Senior Constable Christian McDonald.

However, for four officers who had always served the force – and community – with pride, the accusation and related implications came as a bombshell. In the testimonies lodged with NCAT, they describe the "significant anxiety" that followed. Constable Sheehy, who was photographed laying a wreath of flowers in Martin Place on behalf of colleagues following the 2014 Martin Place siege, said: "Christian called me from work. He sounded very upset and was crying. He advised me a he had similarly received a phone call informing him he was was the subject of a drug investigation." Constable Sheehy revealed he later took exception to a Newtown superior who, he says, dismissed the episode as being nothing "to worry about". "Sir, with all due respect, you and I both know that even a non-sustained complaint still stays on your record and ... an investigation by PSC into drug use is a little more sinister than a customer service complaint. I would hate to think this is because I am gay ... I hardly drink and I do not take drugs." Like his fellow colleagues, Senior Constable Rapisarda says he was informed by management that no further information would be provided because there was a "caveat" on the file and he should be "happy" the complaint was "not sustained".

"I am extremely concerned about the extent to which public resources were used in pursuit of an investigation ... which was based solely on my sexual orientation," he said. Senior constable Housego, meanwhile, said there was "no reasonable basis" to have ever suspected that he had engaged in such behaviour. "I suspect my calls were recorded and we were being followed as part of surveillance. I believe the investigation into us was based on lies and sexual prejudice and deceit." In February, Fairfax Media revealed how a magistrate threw out a case against a drag queen brought about by Newtown police because the way they had gathered evidence against him was illegal. "I had two cops at my door, four days running," he said after he attempted to urinate behind a tree and was fined for improper conduct. "They became really angry. Then they demanded my phone. When I said no, they threatened to break the door down and bring in the riot squad. I was terrified." Constables Sheehy, Housego and Rapisarda, who are still employed by the Force, declined to speak with Fairfax Media.

A police spokesman said: "The NSW Police Force is now more diverse and accepting than at any other time in its history. It reflects the community it serves." He added: "All officers, regardless of their sexual orientation, have appropriate avenues for reporting inappropriate behaviour in the workplace." Do you know more? eduff@fairfaxmedia.com.au 'Culture of prejudice' Extracts from signed statements lodged with the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal

Newtown Constable Christopher Sheehy: "I have been told to my face that I am less 'flamboyant' or 'camp' than other gay officers; with the inference that I am more acceptable." "I have heard a lot of homophobic, negative and derogatory comments made by police officers, particularly among senior officers in management positions ... "I do not feel I have been able to report them due to fear of repercussion." "Common terminology and phrases used around the station are faggot, poofter, gay as aids, homo, hommus and eat a dick." Newtown Senior Constable Christian McDonald:

"In 2012, I requested to complete duties at a Northern NSW Police station to assist with "Splendour in the grass" [music festival]. A manager replied: "Splendour in your ass." In 2013, I fell over in the dark on the way to work and was knocked unconscious as a result of hitting my head on a pavement." Upon returning to work, he was approached by a manager who remarked: "You should be used to having your head down, arse up in the concrete." In 2015, I requested annual leave for my same sex marriage anniversary." In front of colleagues, a manager replied: "Same sex marriage is not OK with me. It disgusts me and it will never be OK."