In 2006, we won a federal court lawsuit challenging the Massachusetts entry level civil service examination for firefighters as having an unlawful disparate impact on minority applicants.   

We are now pursuing a similar case challenging the state’s promotional exam for police officers seeking to become sergeants.  We will be going to trial on this case in federal court in July 2010.

To learn more about these cases, read below.

Police exams need to test the right stuff
Worcester Telegram | July, 2010

As Hub promotes officers, discrimination claims await hearing
Boston Globe | February, 2010

Patrick to appeal ruling on police, firefighter exams
Boston Globe | May, 2009

Few minority police supervisors
Boston Globe | October, 2007

Lawsuit challenges fairness of police promotional test
Boston Globe | September, 2007

Will Patrick stand tall?
Globe Columnist | January, 2007

Judge orders fire departments to offer jobs
Boston Globe | December, 2006

Judge says firefighter tests biased and unfair
Globe Staff | August, 2006

Jacob Bradley et al. v. City of Lynn et al., 443 F.Supp.2d 145 (D.Mass. 2006) (following class action bench trial, court found that civil service exam had disparate impact on minorities, resulting in $2.15 million court-approved settlement, including the statewide hiring of more than 60 minority firefighters and police officers)