March 21, 2025 Story by: Editor
Black state senators in Maryland are urging state officials to uphold a $2.75 million settlement related to a discrimination lawsuit involving 48 women and Black applicants to the Maryland State Police, even though the Justice Department dropped the case last month.
A letter dated March 13, signed by 15 Black senators and addressed to the Board of Public Works, emphasized the state’s responsibility to honor the consent decree regardless of federal actions.
“We are deeply concerned that if Maryland does not honor this consent decree, it would send a message that we are unwilling to address systemic issues of discrimination within law enforcement, regardless of public outcry or the actions of individual officials,” the letter stated. “The dismissal of this lawsuit should not deter the State from fulfilling its commitment to these much-needed reforms.”
The Board of Public Works, comprising Gov. Wes Moore (D), Treasurer Dereck Davis (D), and Comptroller Brooke Lierman (D), approved the consent decree in October following a two-year federal investigation led by then-U.S. Attorney Erek Barron.
The probe found that 48 women and Black applicants, some dating back to 2017, were rejected for trooper positions or denied promotions after failing physical and written tests that were later deemed discriminatory.
Under the consent decree, Maryland State Police agreed to pay $2.75 million in back wages to the affected applicants, implement new written and physical fitness tests, monitor test administration for compliance, and recruit up to 25 applicants who had been unfairly disqualified and successfully completed the revised selection process.
However, on February 26, Attorney General Pam Bondi directed the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division to drop lawsuits nationwide concerning the hiring of police officers and firefighters. Bondi criticized these cases, initiated under the Biden administration, for relying on statistical disparities rather than “evidence of intentional discrimination” to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).
“American communities deserve firefighters and police officers to be chosen for their skill and dedication to public safety – not to meet DEI quotas,” Bondi stated.
While Maryland’s case was not explicitly mentioned, a statement from the State Police last month confirmed that the U.S. District Court for Maryland had dismissed the consent decree against the agency.
“Moving forward, we are committed to developing cutting-edge, up-to-date hiring and selection processes, including a new written test and physical agility test specific to the duties and responsibilities of a Maryland State Trooper,” the agency’s statement read.
Neither Bondi nor the State Police statement addressed the $2.75 million in back pay outlined in the consent decree.
Sen. Joanne C. Benson (D-Prince George’s), a long-time advocate for state police reform and one of the letter’s signatories, expressed hope that the governor would support the senators’ stance.
“We are talking about equality,” Benson stated. “This is about making sure justice is served. It doesn’t matter what that [President Donald Trump] administration did. We need to follow through and do what’s right.”
Sen. Ron Watson (D-Prince George’s) was the only Black senator who did not sign the letter, citing his support for Col. Roland Butler Jr., the Maryland State Police superintendent and a constituent of his. Butler, nominated by Moore in February 2023, was tasked with leading the agency.
“I think this gentleman is owed the respect and the opportunity to try to affect change, and change takes time,” Watson said of Butler.
“You want to talk about fast change? Look at what Trump is doing,” Watson added. “Is that what you really want, to just come in and just create total chaos? Change to be effective has to happen over time, incrementally.”
Butler had previously assured the Board of Public Works in October that the agency remained “committed to making meaningful and lasting change.”
A representative for the State Police did not respond to an emailed request for comment on Tuesday. A spokesperson for Gov. Moore referred to the agency’s statement from last month and indicated that the governor’s office had no further comment.
Representatives for Davis and Lierman were also unavailable to provide a statement. As of Tuesday night, the consent decree was not listed on the agenda for Wednesday’s Board of Public Works meeting.
Despite this, the senators remain firm in their call for Maryland to uphold diversity initiatives within law enforcement, regardless of federal involvement.
“We trust that the State of Maryland will stand firm in its commitment to upholding the civil rights guaranteed in the United States Constitution … and ask that you share how the State will comply with the terms of the consent decree without the U.S. Department of Justice’s involvement,” the letter concluded. Source: Maryland Matters
