EEOC report claims Milwaukee Police Department discriminates against blacks

Jet, Oct 21, 1996

The Milwaukee Police Department discriminates against Black officers and applicants, according to a report by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).

A commission report concludes that there is "reasonable cause" to believe the department illegally discriminated in hiring, discipline, retaliation and working conditions. It summarizes a three-year probe prompted by complaints from more than 30 Blacks, which included fired officers and rejected applicants.

The EEOC report criticizes the physical-agility tests and written tests given to applicants by describing them as outdated and discriminatory. It details examples of discrimination and charges that Black officers who complained were punished. It also notes that Black officers were punished more frequently and more severely than White officers for similar infractions.

Black police activists praised the report and said they would seek some form of intervention from the U.S. Department of Justice.

The Milwaukee Police Dept. responded by saying it disagreed with the commission's findings.