Maryland approves settlement in state police discrimination case

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — Maryland officials approved a $2.75 million settlement on Wednesday to resolve a federal investigation into discriminatory hiring practices affecting Black and female applicants to the Maryland State Police.

The settlement, approved by the Maryland Board of Public Works, will include changes to the ways applicants are tested.

Gov. Wes Moore, a Democrat who chairs the three-member board, said the federal investigation began in 2022 before he took office last year and that his administration pledged to fully cooperate from the start.

“Over the past 19 months, we have worked in complete partnership with the Department of Justice to bring this matter to a close and also to establish a plan forward that will ensure that this will not happen again,” Moore said.

The state police have faced other discrimination allegations in recent years. Officers previously sued the Maryland State Police alleging widespread discrimination over promotions and in disciplinary actions.

In the current case, the Justice Department alleged that the state police used a written test that discriminated against Black candidates and a physical fitness test that discriminated against female applicants.

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