The U.S. Justice Department (DOJ) is investigating the Maryland Department of State Police (MDSP) to assess whether it has engaged in hiring and promotion practices that are racially discriminatory.
The investigation will be conducted pursuant to Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits any discrimination in employment on the basis of color, race, sex, religion, and national origin, the DOJ said in a July 15 statement. Under Title VII, DOJ has the authority to investigate local and state employers if there is reason to believe that a “pattern or practice” of discriminatory employment exists.
