Maryland State Police reach $2 million settlement over alleged employment discrimination

BALTIMORE -- The Maryland Department of State Police (MDSP) reached a settlement after the U.S. sued the department, alleging it violated a federal law against employment discrimination.

In the October 2024 lawsuit, the U.S. alleged that MDSP violated Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 by using a certain physical fitness test and written test to hire entry-level Troopers.

According to the lawsuit, the tests that were used in the hiring process were not job-related and disqualified more women and African American applicants than other groups.

In a statement Thursday, MDSP denied that it violated the law. Under the settlement agreed to by the U.S. and MDSP, the department agreed to only use lawful tests.

The department also agreed to provide financial awards and priority hiring to impacted women and/or African American applicants who could have become troopers if the tests challenged in the lawsuit had not been used.

When will financial awards be distributed?

The court still has to approve the settlement before awards can be distributed to impacted applicants. A hearing is scheduled for March 10, 2025, at 11 a.m.

Individuals have the option to object to the settlement by January 20, 2025, by following the link HERE.

The court will consider any objections before deciding whether or not to approve the settlement.

How much will eligible applicants get?

The financial awards are meant to make up for some of the pay an eligible applicant could have earned if they had not failed one of the hiring tests and had been hired as a Trooper.

MDSP agreed to pay over $2 million in back pay which will be divided between all eligible applicants. It is currently unclear how many individuals will be eligible for the award.

Applicants are only eligible if they meet the following criteria:

• They are female or African American
• They applied for a Trooper job as MDSP and were disqualified by the physical test between 2017 and present
• When they were disqualified by the physical fitness test, they met the minimum qualifications that were in place

Priority hiring awards will also be provided, giving eligible applicants a chance to be hired as a Trooper if they meet the current minimum qualifications. MDSP has agreed to hire up to 25 eligible applicants as priority hires. Those selected will receive retroactive seniority and a hiring bonus, according to the settlement.

After the court approves the settlement, eligible applicants will receive a notice allowing them to submit a form to receive a financial award.