COBB COUNTY, Ga. — Editor's Note: The video above is from five years ago. Read below for the latest information.
An "unintentional" discriminatory hiring practice that was known about over 30 years ago is now stepping into the light after the U.S. Department of Justice ordered the Cobb County Fire Department to have better practices.
The DOJ is giving the Cobb County Fire Department a chance to enhance its hiring practices after federal officials claimed the practices "unintentionally impacted African American applicants."
DOJ's findings focused specifically on the years between 2016 and 2020, claiming the department used credit checks as a screening device. The DOJ also claims they used a standardized test that was not related to the job.
After the findings, the Cobb County Board of Commissioners considered a consent decree or a plan to help the department improve its practices. It has not been approved yet.
“In 2020, our fire department ceased the practices that led to the DOJ’s contentions," said Board of Commissioners Chairwoman Lisa Cupid. "I look forward to resolving this with the DOJ to end any practices that could have unintended disparate or discriminatory impacts. Our goal is and should always be inclusive in finding the best candidates to work in Cobb County."
Fire Chief Bill Johnson said he was pleased that the DOJ found the discrimination to be unintentional.
“We are pleased that the DOJ’s comprehensive review confirmed no intentional discrimination in our hiring practices and identified no issues with our current process,” said Fire Chief Bill Johnson. “We are dedicated to continuing our efforts to recruit, hire, and retain well-qualified firefighters to serve Cobb’s citizens.”
In 2019, 11Alive obtained data that out of 746 employees in the Cobb County Fire Department, fewer than 60 of them – or 7.8 percent – are Black. The numbers in the police department are only slightly better. Of 709 employees, 120 – or 16.9 percent – are Black, according to the 2019 data.
The Cobb County government was first made aware of the issue about 30 years ago, but little has changed.
If approved, federal officials will require the county to pay $750,000 in monetary relief to eligible individuals and hire up to 16 firefighters to mitigate the issue.
Two fairness hearings will be conducted before final approval of the plan's terms. An independent claims administrator will also notify those who are eligible, according to a news release from the county.
Cobb County Board of Commissioners will consider the plan during its next meeting on April 9, the new release stated.