U.S. Department
of Justice
United States v. Maryland Department of State Police (D. Md.)
On October 2, 2024, the United States filed a complaint in United States v. Maryland Department of State Police, Case No. 1:24-cv-2862 (D. Md.). The complaint alleged that Maryland State Police (MDSP) violated Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The lawsuit alleged that MDSP violated Title VII when it used a certain physical fitness test and a certain written test to hire entry-level troopers, because the tests disqualified more female and African-American applicants than others and were not job-related or consistent with business necessity. On October 2, 2024, the Parties jointly filed a proposed consent decree to resolve the case. If it is approved by the Court, the decree will require MDSP to adopt Title-VII-compliant tests in place of the challenged tests; make 25 priority hires, with retroactive seniority and hiring bonuses in lieu of pension credits; and provide a $2.75 million settlement fund to be distributed to female and African-American applicants who were disqualified by the challenged tests. The United States is represented by the Civil Rights Division and the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland.