Maryland Police Settles $2.75M Discrimination Lawsuit

Maryland officials have approved a $2.75 million settlement to address federal allegations of discriminatory hiring practices by the Maryland State Police, which affected Black and female applicants. The settlement, which must still be approved by a federal judge, includes changes to the testing procedures used for hiring. The Justice Department's investigation, initiated in 2022, found that the written and physical fitness tests disproportionately disqualified Black and female candidates, violating Title VII of the Civil Rights Act. Maryland State Police will provide back pay to affected applicants and implement non-discriminatory tests. Governor Wes Moore emphasized cooperation with the DOJ to prevent future discrimination, while the Maryland State Police superintendent stated that the practices were unintentional but unacceptable. The agreement reflects a broader commitment to ensuring fair employment practices in law enforcement.