Case Scenario: Minority Chicago police officers sued the City of Chicago, claimi
ID: 428797 • Letter: C
Question
Case Scenario: Minority Chicago police officers sued the City of Chicago, claiming that a 1994 examination for promotion to sergeant, and the ensuing February 1997 promotions based on that examination, had a disparate impact that discriminated based on race. Responding to the continuing controversy over promotions, Chicago's mayor appointed a panel in 1990 to make recommendations concerning future promotions. Based on those recommendations, Chicago hired an outside consultant to create a promotional examination. In the present suit, black, and Hispanic officers challenge the resulting 1994 examination used to promote officers to sergeants and the promotions made based on the examinations scores. Each of the three parts was weighted equally and the scores ranked. The ranking generated a promotional list, with the highest score listed first and entitled to the first promotion. The parties agree that this examination and ranking had a disparate impact on minorities. The issue is whether there was a viable alternative to the sergeant's exam that was less discriminatory. Request: Prepare a case brief of the above case scenario. Identify the issue, rule(s), analysis, and conclusion (Properly conclude how the case should be resolved).Explanation / Answer
Answers:
Issue:
Promotions in the city of Chicago to the sergeant were made based on race twice once in 1994 & other time in 1997. Hence the issue in the case is that the police officers in the city have been promoted on discriminatory basis & not truly for their efforts or hard work or achievements. Another issue after the appointment of consultant is whether the decision has affected the minorities being promoted.
Rule:
Local 518 v. Division of Motor Vehicles and Department of Personnel, 262 N.J. Super. 598, 600 (App. Div. 1993). This rule states that after the completion of the promotion tests, the employer is at the discretion to select any of the top three candidates provided the non selection is not because of discriminatory intent. Hence the above regulation can be applied here where the police officers can’t be promoted on discriminatory basis.
Analysis:
A panel was formed & an outside consultant was hired to examine the promotions offered to the officers. After the appointment was made, promotions were made truly on the basis of examination scores. On the basis of scores, people were ranked & people with highest score were ranked first & so on.
Conclusion:
The decision of appointing the consultant can be a good decision. This decision can’t affect the minorities because the promotions are now truly being made on score basis i.e. merit basis & hence sergeant’s exam can be a best option.