The New Orleans Fire Department ran afoul of the state constitution when it promoted dozens of firefighters to the rank of captain even though they ranked lower than many other eligible candidates on a promotion exam, the city's Civil Service Commission said in a 33-page ruling issued Thursday.
But the ruling won’t help those who were passed over to climb the ranks, and it won’t strip the 41 who were promoted of their posts.
The commission said those who were elevated were eligible for promotions under current rules and didn’t get ahead through misconduct, meaning that demotions would be improper.
Meanwhile, the Fire Department is under no legal obligation to promote anyone, leaving those who were passed over virtually no recourse.