Posted on 09/11/2008 10:20:07 AM PDT by yankeedame
DAYTON — City Commissioner Dean Lovelace said he has learned the U.S. Department of Justice may sue Dayton over the city's historical lack of minorities in its police department.
Lovelace said if it solves the problem by quickly identifying solutions, he welcomes it.
There are 35 black officers out of the 421 in the police department, 53 women and four other, according to city records.
"This has been a concern in the community for a long time," Lovelace said.
Dayton City Manager Rashad Young has scheduled a 2 p.m. press conference at City Hall, to discuss the pending legal action.
Lovelace said he learned of the lawsuit on Wednesday, Sept. 10, from Dayton's Law Director Pat Bonfield.
The commissioner said DOJ investigators came to Dayton about two years ago, gathered data on minorities working in the city's safety forces and held focus groups on the topic.
"We never did hear from them for two years. Now they've landed," Lovelace said.
About the same time the DOJ started its investigation, the city established a diversity committee to explore ways to encourage more minorities to join the police and fire departments.
Lovelace, who chairs the committee, said unions for the city's safety forces have been satisfied with a long term solution of trying to get youth excited about public service.
"We need short-term fixes," Lovelace said.
Equality of OPPORTUNITY has existed nationwide for decades...
Case closed.
I think the four “others” should sure them for calling them “Others”.
sounds reecist..
Are the citizens protected?
Do the current officers perform the required functions of a Police Dept.?
Are the citizen getting the quality of service that they are paying for?
They are?
Then PO..
I would be a bit afraid if they just have to “fill” spots for people that will carry guns. I guess they don’t think qualifications, regardless of race, matter anymore in the police department than they do in politics.
Surprised the aclu hasn’t tried to sue the Republican party for having a small percentage of delegates of color.
I sure wouldn’t want to be known as a quota boy.
Whaddya mean we ain’t got enough minorities in the police department? There’s a bunch of em in the holdin cells.
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