City of Corpus Christi Settles with Justice Department - KiiiTV3.com South Texas, Corpus Christi, Coastal Bend

At City Hall, the Corpus Christi City Council has agreed to a settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice, stemming from a claim that the Corpus Christi Police Department had discriminated against women during the hiring process.

The settlement will cost the City $700,000 and force them to hire 18 women over the next two hiring cycles.

The government found that 59 women were unfairly removed from the City's hiring process for the police department. During the investigation, they found the women failed to pass a physical ability test. The DOJ found no evidence that the test was job-related.

The City has agreed to do the following:

1. Stop using the physical ability test
2. Develop an alternative selection device
3. Hire 18 women out the eligible claimants within two hiring cycles
4. Create a settlement fund of $700,000 to provide back pay to eligible claimants
5. Pay all federal, state, and/or local taxes or contributions that normally are paid by employers
6. Take the necessary steps to ensure individuals hired under the settlement are provided whole pensions.