LUBBOCK, Texas -
The Department of Justice sued the City of Lubbock in December 2015 over alleged police hiring practices that discriminated against Hispanics and women.It settled with a consent decree, approved by both the DOJ and the city, that outlines the next steps for the Lubbock Police Department to take.
The DOJ started its investigation into LPD's hiring practices in 2014, specifically pertaining to Hispanic and women applicants.
"In the written examination, our written test, the mathematical conclusion was Hispanic applicants were failing at a specific higher rate than white applicants," LPD Chief Greg Stevens said. "On the physical agility portion of the process, female applicants were failing at a substantially higher rate than male applicants."
"I always wanted to be a cop," LPD Corporal Michael Sandoval said. He became a police officer in 2009. "If I can do it, anyone can do it. I didn't struggle with anything on the test so I don't get why they'd change anything with the standards. Nothing in life is easy."
A lawsuit against the city followed, so the department was quick to find a temporary solution. Stevens said LPD modeled its new and current testing procedures on the Corpus Christi Police Department's. He explained that is only temporary.
"Ultimately, we'll have a written exam and a physical fitness assessment that is created specifically for the job of a Lubbock, Texas police officer," Stevens said.
The DOJ lawsuit sought $3 million in damages and settled for $725,000.
"It's a lot of taxpayer money that needs to be paid out," Stevens said.
"I can't answer for the City of Lubbock and top admin, but if they feel like this is the best way to go forward then I put my trust in them," Sandoval said.
LPD was also ordered to contact all qualified Hispanic and/or female applicants that failed previous tests. LPD will priority hire up to 11 Hispanics and 13 females. The decree remains active until the hires are made.
"We have to make some priority hires for people that didn't pass due to adverse impact, according to the Department of Justice," Stevens said. "We're actually already underway with this process. We're not going to let this slow us down. We're going to keep pressing forward with filling the ranks of the Lubbock Police Department with nothing but qualified applicants."
"We're one of the top-notch departments in Texas and just because the standards or testing changes, it doesn't mean we're not going to get the right people in here for the City of Lubbock," Sandoval said.
The chief is adamant that LPD will only gain strength from this lawsuit.
"We can dwell on whether or not it was a complaint, whether it was random or whatever or we can take what's been handed to us, find the opportunity in it and just deal with it and move forward," Stevens said.
Cpl. Sandoval said he plans to continue his climb up the ranks. He plans to test into the sergeant position this summer.
"It's the best job that I've ever had and I'm excited to continue my career in law enforcement," he said.
The consent decree has been approved by the DOJ and city council, but still must be approved by a federal court judge.
