Skip to main content

Fact Sheet - Agreement Resolving Alleged Hiring Discrimination by Maryland Department of State Police

U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division | U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland

 

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) found that since 2017, the Maryland Department of State Police (MDSP) used discriminatory hiring practices that wrongfully disqualified Black and female state trooper candidates. DOJ and MDSP agreed to settle these claims.

  • MDSP will pay $2.75M to Black and female officer candidates disqualified by the hiring tests DOJ found unlawful.
  • MDSP will offer priority hiring opportunities to 25 previously disqualified candidates who satisfy MDSP’s lawful hiring requirements.
  • MDSP must use lawful hiring tests, subject to DOJ’s review.

  • DOJ found that MDSP used a written test that disproportionately disqualified Black trooper applicants and a physical test that disproportionately disqualified female applicants.
  • Because neither test was valid or job-related, DOJ alleged that MDSP had violated Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
  • DOJ and MDSP entered this agreement to address DOJ’s findings.

  • DOJ and MDSP filed the agreement as a proposed consent decree in federal court and asked the federal court to hold a hearing to decide if the agreement is fair.
  • If a federal court approves the consent decree, individuals who may be entitled to relief will be notified by email.

 

Visit justice.gov/crt and justice.gov/usao-md/civil-rights to learn more about how DOJ enforces anti-discrimination laws in police departments & other state and local government workplaces.

Updated October 2, 2024