Corpus Christi, TX – In a shocking case of sex bias, the city of Corpus Christi’s police department has been found guilty of discriminating against women when hiring entry-level police officers. The U.S. government’s complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas, alleges that between 2005 and 2011, the city used a physical abilities test that screened out many more women than men but did not test for what is required on the job.
“Hiring processes, including for those who seek to serve and protect the public as police officers, should be free from discrimination,” said Thomas E. Perez, Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division. “The department commends Corpus Christi for its cooperation, for working to put in place new hiring procedures that comply with Title VII, and for providing relief to the women who have been harmed by the prior practices challenged by the department.”
The Justice Department and Corpus Christi jointly filed a motion requesting that the court provisionally enter a consent decree that lays out the terms of the settlement. The motion also asks the court to schedule a fairness hearing on the decree, the opportunity provided by Title VII for the public to comment on the decree.
The proposed consent decree requires Corpus Christi to no longer use the physical abilities test for selecting entry-level police officers. It also requires the city to develop a new selection procedure that complies with Title VII. Additionally, the city will pay $700,000 as backpay to female applicants who took and failed the challenged physical abilities test between 2005 and 2011 and are determined to be eligible for relief.
Some women who took and failed the challenged physical abilities test between 2005 and 2011 may receive offers of priority employment with retroactive seniority and benefits. Applicants interested in priority employment must pass the new, lawful selection procedure developed by Corpus Christi under the decree and meet other qualifications required of all applicants considered for entry-level police officer positions.
“The physical abilities test formerly used by Corpus Christi prevented the city from distinguishing between qualified and unqualified applicants,” continued Mr. Perez. “Here, the Justice Department is ensuring the selection of qualified officers while eliminating artificial, discriminatory barriers. Because Corpus Christi will develop a new, lawful test that all candidates must pass, the public will be assured that the selection process is fair and nondiscriminatory and selects qualified candidates.”
The Justice Department is committed to enforcing federal employment discrimination laws. Additional information about Title VII and other federal employment laws is available on the Civil Rights Division’s website at www.justice.gov/crt.
RELATED: Corpus Christi Police Sex Bias Suit Filed
RELATED: Corpus Christi Cops Accused of Sex Bias
Related Federal Cases
🔒 Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
Browse More
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
Sex CrimesSex CrimesSex CrimesSex Crimes