FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CR
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1996 (202) 616-2765
TDD (202) 514-1888
JUSTICE DEPARTMENT SUES MISSISSIPPI CITY ALLEGING DISCRIMINATION AGAINST A FEMALE POLICE
LIEUTENANT
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The Justice Department today sued
Canton, Mississippi for allegedly refusing to promote a Canton
Police Lieutenant because she was female, even though she was
ranked as the most qualified individual for the job.
"The American workplace must be free of
discrimination," said Deval L. Patrick, Assistant Attorney
General for Civil Rights. "No American should be denied a job
because of their gender."
Today's suit stems from a discrimination charge filed
with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) by Vickie
McNeill, a police lieutenant in the Canton Police Department.
McNeill complained to the EEOC that the city refused to promote
her to the position of Assistant Chief of Police because of her
gender.
After investigating, the EEOC found that she was the
most qualified person for the position and found evidence that
some of those who made the hiring decision believed that a woman
was unable to fulfill the job duties of Assistant Chief of
Police. The EEOC referred the matter to the Justice Department,
which sued the city after negotiations failed to resolve the
matter.
The suit seeks an order requiring the city to offer
McNeill the Assistant Chief of Police position, provide her with
back pay, and pay her compensatory damages.
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96-511