MARYLAND ( DC News Now ) — The Maryland Department of State Police (MDSP) will have to pay $2.75 million to settle a discrimination lawsuit claiming the hiring process for state troopers discriminates against Black and female candidates.
Specifically, the United States alleged that MDSP uses a written test – the Police Officer Selection Test (POST) – that discriminates against Black candidates and a physical fitness test – the Functional Fitness Assessment Test (FFAT) – that discriminates against female candidates, violating Title VII of the Civil Rights Act.
In July of 2022, the U.S. Attorney’s Office (USAO) in Maryland launched a civil pattern and practice investigation into MDSP’s hiring and promotion practices.
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According to a USAO news release , at the end of their investigation, officials concluded that the state’s written and physical fitness tests disqualified Black and female applicants at “significantly disproportionate rates,” violating Title VII.