Judge: New FDNY Hiring Practices Don't Go Far Enough
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The New York City Fire Department is once again feeling the heat from a federal judge over its hiring practices.
Judge Nicholas Garaufis says despite progress on diversity in recent recruiting, the department hasn't done enough to reverse discrimination against black and Hispanic candidates.
He's expected to spell out a solution in a separate ruling.
The written entrance exam is being redesigned after the judge ruled it favored white applicants back in 2007.
But the judge now says the process that follows the test also favors white candidates.
Since they make up most of the department, the judge says they have a better chance of having potential background problems overlooked.
He writes, "...firefighters and fire officers remain actively involved in monitoring the progress of firefighter candidates who are their friends or family members. It is unsurprising that over the course of FDNY’s long hiring process large numbers of firefighter candidates fall through the cracks between its numerous steps."
The Vulcan Society, a fraternal order of black firefighters, filed suit against the city back in 2002.
"Whether it's systemic, whether it's intentional, whether someone didn't know they were doing it they still broke the law the law is there to protect everyone. And when anyone is violated in that way and they're not receiving their just due. That is justice as the law has it written, then we have to do something different," said Vulcan Society President John Coombs.
In a statement, the city Law Department says quote, "We respectfully disagree with some of the court's findings and are continuing to study this lengthy 81-page decision. The next steps the city will take depend on what the judge's subsequent rulings are regarding remedial steps."