Vanguard Justice Society, Inc. v. Hughes

471 F. Supp. 670, 19 Fair Empl. Prac. Cas. (BNA) 587, 1979 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 13649, 20 Empl. Prac. Dec. (CCH) 30,077
District Court, D. Maryland·Decided March 20, 1979·No. Civ. 73-1105-K, 73-1106-K and K-74-71·Published·Cited by 74 cases

Opinion

FRANK A. KAUFMAN, District Judge.

These three cases (Vanguard, Gumpman and Bosworth) involve challenges to alleged sex and race discrimination within the Baltimore City Police Department (“Department”). The sex issues are of two kinds: (a) height-weight requirement; (b) other. The height-weight issues are present in all three cases; the other sex issues are stated only in Vanguard. The race issues are present in Vanguard but not in Bosworth and Gumpman. The cases have been consolidated pursuant to Federal Civil Rule 42(a). 1 Defendants include the State of Maryland, the Governor of Maryland, the Police Commissioner of Baltimore *675 City (collectively referred to as “State Defendants”), the President of the Civil Service Commission of Baltimore City (“Commission”), two members of that Commission, the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore (collectively referred to as “City Defendants”). 2

Jurisdiction exists in these cases pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983 and its jurisdictional counterpart, 28 U.S.C. § 1343(3); the Fourteenth Amendment; 42 U.S.C. § 2000e et seq. (Title VII); and 28 U.S.C. § 1331. 3 The named plaintiffs seek, on behalf of themselves and the members of the classes they represent, declaratory and injunctive relief, back pay and attorneys fees. 4 A number of witnesses testified at trial, and an avalanche of written statements, depositions and other documents have been filed. Counsel have agreed that all such documents and indeed the entire record shall be considered as evidence in these eases. 5 Initially, as suggested by counsel, the cases were divided both on the basis of sex and race, and also on the basis of liability and relief, and proceeded first to trial on the liability phase of the sex issues. Thereafter, however, because of possible overlap of the sex and race questions, this Court decided not to determine liability issues with regard to sex or race until it had received all liability evidence pertaining to both. 6 As of this date, trials on liability phases of both sex and race issues, have been completed. In this opinion, the merits of the sex and race liability issues are discussed, commencing infra 697. Before those merit issues are reached, a number of threshold questions require careful analysis. Issues of relief may still require further trial. 7

Class Certifications

Six plaintiff classes have been certified in these cases, two re sex, and four re race. In each instance, one or more of those of the named plaintiffs who raised the issue were named as class representatives. As to the sex claims, one class is comprised “of all female applicants for the position of police officer with the Baltimore City Police Department” from June, 1973 to April 23,1974 “who were rejected because of their height * * *.” 8 As to that class, this Court hereby confirms its certification.

*676 The second sex class is comprised of all sworn female (uniformed) employees of the Department 9 on June 14, 1974. Shortly before final argument on the sex issues took place, all defendants sought to decertify that latter class, because thirty-six of the fifty class members had elected to “opt-out” pursuant to Federal Civil Rule 23(c)(2).

Free access — add to your briefcase to read the full text and ask questions with AI

Vanguard Justice Society, Inc. v. Hughes, 471 F. Supp. 670, 19 Fair Empl. Prac. Cas. (BNA) 587, 1979 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 13649, 20 Empl. Prac. Dec. (CCH) 30,077 (D. Md. 1979).

471 F. Supp. 670 (Vanguard Justice Society, Inc. v. Hughes) — published by Counsel Stack Legal Research, free access to 12M+ legal documents.

Related

Bolden v. CAEI, Inc.
D. Maryland, 2023
Raines v. U.S. Healthworks Medical Group
California Supreme Court, 2023
Clay v. Consol Pennsylvania Coal Co.
955 F. Supp. 2d 588 (N.D. West Virginia, 2013)
Bradley v. Baltimore Police Dep't
887 F. Supp. 2d 642 (D. Maryland, 2012)
Miller v. Baltimore Gas & Electric Co.
202 F.R.D. 195 (D. Maryland, 2001)
Shepherd v. United States Olympic Committee
94 F. Supp. 2d 1136 (D. Colorado, 2000)
Bampoe v. Coach Stores, Inc.
93 F. Supp. 2d 360 (S.D. New York, 2000)
Scelta v. Delicatessen Support Services, Inc.
57 F. Supp. 2d 1327 (M.D. Florida, 1999)
Bender v. Suburban Hospital
998 F. Supp. 631 (D. Maryland, 1998)
Scannell v. Bel Air Police Department
968 F. Supp. 1059 (D. Maryland, 1997)