Black firefighters file discrimination complaints against City of Memphis
Five lieutenants in the Memphis Fire Department have filed a complaint that alleges the battalion chief’s test has favored white candidates. (The Daily Memphian files)
Several veteran Memphis firefighters are alleging the Memphis Fire Department’s promotional testing process is discriminatory toward Black employees.
At least five MFD firefighters, all of whom are currently lieutenants, have filed complaints against the department with the City of Memphis’ Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, according to sources within the fire department. The firefighters say the test for the rank of battalion chief favors certain candidates — particularly younger, white employees with less experience — over others, such as tenured Black employees.
The Daily Memphian obtained one of the complaints through a public records request.
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Memphis Fire Department Memphis Fire Department Chief Gina Sweat Subscriber OnlyThank you for supporting local journalism.
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Aarron Fleming
Aarron Fleming covers Memphis and Shelby County’s court system and is a member of The Daily Memphian’s public safety reporting team. He formerly covered education and earned his B.A. in journalism from the University of Memphis.
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