The City of Cleveland Fire Department has been charged with discrimination by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission after an investigation uncovered evidence that it discriminated against black, Hispanic and female applicants, violating Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
The U.S. EEOC determined that since at least 2009, the Cleveland Fire Department has displayed a pattern of failing or refusing to hire and promote black, Hispanic and female applicants through the use of discriminatory hiring tests and procedures.
The EECO found that the majority of Cleveland’s firehouses do not have female restrooms, locker and shower room facilities, a Title VII violation.
The Cleveland Fire Department denied the allegations, according to the EEOC.