POLITICAL CORRECTNESS IN POLICE PROMOTIONS CHALLENGED IN NEW MEXICO

Court challenges to diversity promotions cost the City of Houston big bucks some years ago

A number of years ago, the City of Houston was sued by a number of police officers and firefighters complaining that they were passed over in promotions for less qualified minorities. The plaintiffs won their case and prevailed after a number of costly appeals by the city.

Diversity in law enforcement agencies is a worthwhile goal. I have known a number of well qualified black police officers who merited the high positions they achieved. But I’ve also known some bonehead police administrators who got promoted or appointed to their positions only because they were minorities.

NEW MEXICO OFFICER CLAIMS REVERSE DISCRIMINATION
Albuquerque officer says department passed over better qualified officers to promote women, minorities

Las Cruces Sun-News
September 3, 2012

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The Albuquerque Police Department passed over better qualified officers in order to promote women and minorities to top command positions with the approval of the city's administrators, according to a reverse-discrimination claim filed by a police lieutenant.

The claim filed by Lt. Gregory Callaghan alleges he missed out on promotions because of his race, sex and age. It also claims that top police officials retaliated against him when he questioned the promotions.

The Albuquerque Journal reports the human rights bureau at the state Workforce Solutions department notified Albuquerque Police on Aug. 24 that it would investigate Callahan's complaint.

Callaghan's complaint names Police Chief Ray Schultz, deputy chiefs Paul Feist and Allen Banks and city Chief Administrative Officer Rob Perry.

Schultz declined to comment. Perry said he hasn't seen the complaint but is pleased Schultz considers diversity as an important component of his executive promotion selection process.

"These new commanders are all well qualified," Perry told the Journal for a story published Saturday.

Callaghan referred inquiries to his lawyer, who didn't immediately return calls.

According to the complaint, Callahan applied for promotion to commander in response to announced openings in both 2010 and 2011.

He was passed over in favor of the son of a former commander and a "minority female" in early 2011. Two months later the chief announced plans to promote three people, including a "Hispanic male," according to the complaint.

This May, Schultz promoted "a woman, an African American male and another employee who is a close friend of the Chief Administrative Officer for the City who did not even participate in the (application) process," according to Callaghan's complaint.

Callaghan and a group of four other lieutenants met to discuss "the promotions and the lack of accountability by APD to those who applied," according to the complaint, and chose a representative to take the concerns to senior department officials.

One of the other lieutenants complained to the police administration at least once but was given no answers as to why the newly minted commanders were promoted "over more senior and capable lieutenants," according to the complaint.

Deputy Chief Paul Feist "threatened" the lieutenants with "insubordination," the complaint states.

"We felt we could not assert any complaints in our defense and were forced to remain silent lest our future career opportunities be at risk," the complaint states.

Feist did not return calls from the Journal seeking comment.