Chesapeake, VA

Chesapeake, VA: (Jun-10-07) The US Justice Department brought racial discrimination charges against the Chesapeake Police Department, alleging that they used a math test that unfairly disqualified black and Hispanic officer applicants. The lawsuit, filed last July in US District Court, alleged that Chesapeake violated the Civil Rights Act of 1964 with its use of the math test as a screening device. The complaint argued that the pass/fail nature of the test did not predict future job performance, yet resulted in a disproportionate impact on black and Hispanic applicants. Between March 1, 2001, and Jan. 1, 2006, the city required applicants to score 70% or higher on the math portion of an entrance exam. A Justice Department review found just over 57% of black applicants and nearly 89% of white applicants passed. The aim of any testing should be to select public safety officers who are the best and most qualified candidates without unfairly screening out qualified candidates.

In a settlement reached, the city agreed to create a $65,000 fund to compensate as many as 42 people. Further, the agreement requires the police department to give priority job offers to applicants who are qualified for an entry level officer position, but were screened out in the past solely because of the math test. [HAMPTON ROADS: POLICE SCREENING]

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Published on Jun-11-07