The 49-year churchgoer, who circulated emails to officers quoting the biblical stance on homosexuality being a sin, claims he is being singled out because of his beliefs. The force has responded by saying it will not tolerate any "homophobic behaviour".

His case echoes that of London registrar Lillian Ladele, who recently won a tribunal after refusing to officiate at same-sex civil partnerships because of her religious views.

PC Cogman, a father of two, said reconciling his religious beliefs with his job was becoming more difficult because the force's stance on homosexuality was at odds with his religious views.

"The blatant support for homosexual rights in Norfolk Police makes being a Christian officer extremely difficult," he said.

"I am not undertaking this action lightly but I have to make a stand when things become so blatantly biased against me just because I hold a faith."

His complaint stems from a circular email sent to officers in early 2005 encouraging staff to wear a pink ribbon on their uniforms during Gay History Month.

After receiving the email, PC Cogman sent a reply to his fellow officers featuring biblical quotations about homosexuality being a sin. He objected again the following year when a similar email was again sent to officers.

He was subjected to a disciplinary tribunal and fined 13 days' pay.

A spokesman for Norfolk Police yesterday said that PC Cogman's behaviour "fell well below the standard which we expect".

"Whilst the force fully respects the officer has strong beliefs, it is only correct that he respects the beliefs and wishes of others," he said.

"The force will not tolerate any form of homophobic behaviour."

At the beginning of July, Islington registrar and devout Christian Lillian Ladele won an employment tribunal after claiming she was bullied and treated as a "pariah" for refusing to officiate over same-sex civil partnerships.