Connecticut Firefigher Sues over Promotion Test

October 19, 2009

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A black New Haven, Connecticut firefighter has filed a federal lawsuit against the city over a promotion exam that was the subject of a landmark U.S. Supreme Court ruling in June.

Firefighter Michael Briscoe alleges in a lawsuit filed Thursday in New Haven federal court that the city wrongly gives more weight to the test’s written part than the oral section, and that scoring method has a disparate effect on African-Americans.

Briscoe says he received the top score on the oral part of a 2003 test for lieutenant, but he wouldn’t have been promoted under the city’s scoring method. He’s seeking the promotion and backpay.

A message was left for a city spokeswoman Thursday.

The Supreme Court ruled in June that city officials were wrong to scrap the 2003 test results because too few minorities would have been promoted.

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Latest Comments

  • October 23, 2009 at 8:52 am
    linda says:
    Al, I don't think women have been approved for "front line duty". And there could be great discussions regarding women who can chuck a ball far & fast. But regardless of that ... read more
  • October 20, 2009 at 12:20 pm
    Bev says:
    Someone please tell me, Why is it that a black man cant pass the same written test as a white man? Dont call me a racist, its the black man filing this suit claiming he is una... read more
  • October 20, 2009 at 8:59 am
    Al says:
    I can't cite chapter and verse, but I heard or read that the army lowered its standard for tossing a grenade so that women can qualify. They reduced the distance one needs to ... read more
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