Three Cambridge policemen have filed complaints against the city, alleging that they were unfairly passed over for promotion when City Manager James L. Sullivan recently named 28 officers to the post of sergeant.

The three--Edward Hussey, Michael DeLuca, and Francis Burns--were ranked within the top ten on the Civil Service examination, but were passed over when promotions were announced in June.

When there is a competitive examination, the city manager must appoint the highest man on the list or file a statement of reasons why he was not promoted, Brian McMeninum, attorney for Hussey, said yesterday.

"The only reason that can be given on the form is that the officer was not the best qualified man. There is no way that there are 25 more qualified men than Edward Hussey," he said.

A spokesman for the police department declined to comment. "Once it hits the courts, we have to clam up," he said.

Thomas August, who is representing Burns, said that departmental charges against his client may have played some role in his not getting a promotion.

A motorcyclist who suffered an eye injury during his arrest brought charges accusing Burns and the two other arresting officers of excessive force.

Burns was exonerated of all charges, August said.

DeLuca has departmental charges still pending with regard to the Lawrence Largey case, in which an 18-year-old youth died in his cell after arrest. DeLuca was one of the arresting officers. His counsel was unavailable for comment.

There are no charges pending against Edward Hussey.