On July 24, 2006, the United States filed a lawsuit under Title VII against Chesapeake City in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, allegong that the City's use of the mathematics test in the hiring process of entry-level police officers in the City's Police Department had an adverse impact on African-American and Hispanic applicants and is not job related for the position in question or consistent with business necessity. The United States sought remedial and injunctive relief.

On June 15, 2007 the United States and the defendant agreed to enter into a consent decree, which was approved by the district court (Judge Raymond A. Jackson). The defendant agreed not to engage in any act or practice in entry-level police officer selection that unlawfully discriminates on the basis of race or national origin. The City also agreed not to use any mathematics test that results in a disparate impact and is not job-related or consistent with business necessity. The defendant also agreed to award backpay to the individual plaintiffs as well as remedial hiring and seniority.

We have no further information on this case.

Dana Schwarz - 11/15/2007


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