ABSTRACT
Allegations of discrimination against police departments span a variety of issues, including refusal to hire minorities and females (i.e., facial discrimination), adverse impact of facially neutral selection criteria on minorities (e.g., cognitive tests) and females (e.g., physical requirements), racial and sexual harassment, diversity as a compelling government interest under the 14th Amendment of the Constitution, age limits for hiring and forced retirement of police officers, illegal medical and psychological inquiries prior to a conditional job offer, and more. Comprehensive coverage of these and related issues is provided by Gutman, Koppes, and Vodanovich (2010). The main focus of this chapter is on what is arguably the most important issue facing police forces today: adverse impact in hiring and promotion related to tests and other selection criteria on minorities and, to some extent, females.
