Lawsuit challenges civil service exam as unfair to blacks
November 20, 2018
DETROIT (AP) - The Michigan Civil Service Commission is accused of using an exam that discriminates against black applicants who want to work for the state police or become conservation officers.
A lawsuit claims the civil service exam produces racially disparate results because blacks have a higher failure rate than white applicants. The Detroit Free Press reports that a Wayne County judge has certified the case as a class-action, although an appeal is likely.
State attorneys say the exam only is a screening tool and that each agency does its own hiring.
Carlos Bell says he failed two versions of the exam but passed a Detroit police screening test. He says he "may not have a lot of book smarts" but his common sense is "pretty good." He wanted to become a trooper.
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Information from: Detroit Free Press, http://www.freep.com