EMPLOYMENT DISCRIMINATION: New Jersey Settles Race Discrimination Case, Agrees to Pay $1M

August 5, 2011

New Jersey- The state has agreed to pay about $1 million in order to settle a race discrimination case, alleging that Hispanic and black police officers were not provided with career advancement opportunities because of their race.

According to the Department of Justice’s attorneys, minority officers who are candidates for promotion to police sergeant were disproportionately excluded in a written examination the state has been using since 2000. These attorneys also claimed that such examinations are not needed to assess the qualifications of the candidates.

According to reports, the settlement pay will be given to those who were negatively affected by the problem. These candidates may also be provided with priority offers so that they can be promoted to sergeants. Aside from paying the aggrieved parties, the state also agreed to refrain from using the examinations when assessing a candidate. Instead, it should use a new method, which is supported by a federal judge in Newark, said reports.