  We present a proposal for the optical simulation of para-Fermi oscillators in
arrays of coupled waveguides. We use a representation that arises as a
deformation of the $su(2)$ algebra. This provides us with a set of chiral and a
zero-energy-like normal modes. The latter is its own chiral pair and suggest
the addition of controlled losses/gains following a pattern defined by parity.
In these non-Hermitian para-Fermi oscillators, the analog of the zero-energy
mode presents the largest effective loss/gain and it is possible to tune the
system to show sequences of exceptional points and varying effective
losses/gains. These arrays can be used for mode suppression or enhancement
depending on the use of loss or gain, in that order. We compare our coupled
mode theory predictions with finite element method simulations to good
agreement.
