Bridgeport firefighters claim reverse discrimination

The CTPost should publish a list of all those who are NOT suing the city of Bridgeport. It would be a much, much shorter list than those who are suing!!!!

Just what I want! Someone leading a crew of firefighters who got promoted not because they passed the testing (or could'nt,) but because there's not enough minorities promoted, coming to save my house or family. It's time to stop the insanity. Why exactly was the test descriminatory? Were'nt ALL candidates members of the same firefighting unit(overall)? Were the non-chosen firefighters trained differently than the others? OR did they just not study as hard,expect their JUST entitlement or are just plain too dumb to pass a supervisory test?

The real joke is many of the people they changed the score to help, didn't score high enough on the entrance exam and were hired only because of their skin color.It never ends. I hope the white guys win and end the B.S. forever.

To Wait one minute: Based upon how the scoring criteria was changed, It appears that the change involved addressing the inability of the minorities to read and write.

Reverse discrimination? Really, Connecticut Post?

Is no one in this country aware that there is no such thing as REVERSE discrimination?? Well, technically there is; it's called acceptance, but no one sues for that. Discrimination is discrimination no matter who it is against. There is no special rule in the universe that says white people can't be discriminated against, because they can.

Promoting someone to fill a certain quota is discriminatory as well anyways. These people aren't earning their jobs because they deserve them, but simply because of their skin color.

As a citizen and taxpayer, I want only the best qualified individuals to be selected to become police officers and firefighters. These positions are of paramount importance because they are involved with the protection of life and property, government's most vital role.

I do not care what race or ethnic group police and firefighters are from. Race and ethnicity are irrelevant and should have no part in the selection process. If the best qualified candidates are all black and hispanic, so be it. They then should be hired. Ability should be the only criteria used.

Finally, the article makes no mention as to exactly how, the exam discriminated and had a disparate effect on minority candidates. Maybe someone could enlighten us?

This absolutely reverse discrimination. If you’re not smart enough to pass the test you don’t get the job. Please don’t dumb down the test just so certain people can pass it. I want qualified fire fighters saving my life not a Black or Hispanic or Asian fire fighter.

Failing tests and not achieving the next level of your career should be motivation for an individual to push themselves to do better. Complaining and whining to get what you want and then giving it to them is Aaaaaa welfare - giving something for nothing in return...

Stop this insanity ... please... someone's life could depend on it.

As a member of the New Haven 20 all I can say is good luck brothers, don't back down, and fight for what is rightfully yours.

Does this type of testing good for American Bar Association, Airline Pilots, CEO's of large companies, Medical Doctors, Teachers? I think not.

A test is a test. You either pass it, or fail it! You either know the material, or you don't. A scaled down test is discriminatory and insulting. Everyone went to school. You either learned or screwed off. Candidates should be chosen on the basis of ability, the race of the candidate is totally irrelevant, as discrimination is wrong and against the law in forward gear, or reverse!

I agree with all of the previous comments, but it is important to note that the revised test required the candidate to know the same information, but they did not have to know how to read and write. I would have to question how they document an oral answer to show that the answer was not prompted by the administrator. Yes I think I would also have to question how these same firefighters graduated high school, or got their initial positions in the first place if they are unable to adequately read and write.

Dr. Outz has been designing promotional tests for the fire department since 1985 with the same results. It always comes down to dispirit impact.When the numbers are not what they want its dispirit impact. Shortly after the 1985 Lt exam there was a captains exam that was 100% oral and thats when they finally got the proper number of minorities for the 13 openings. They were able to juggle the oral scores.
Why has the city seen fit to keep hiring Dr Outz when he always has the same results and not enough minorities pass his exams to finish high enough to get promoted.

That Bum Outz is giving the Sgt.'s exam for the P.D. And the City is playing games with the weights of the test. They wonder why NOBODY wants to work in Bridgeport???? This is why. Lets see we will probably see a couple of blacks and Hispanics and Oh Don't forget the FEMALES. What a JOKE.......He will screw around with the test until the City gets what they want. Thats why many qualified white candidates are skipping the test. Its not a fair and above board test. Sue the crap out of Bpt. They deserve it. Outz is black.....Hmmm...

Outz gotta go....NOW. And JAcobs too.

DBB wrote:

This absolutely reverse discrimination. If you’re not smart enough to pass the test you don’t get the job. Please don’t dumb down the test just so certain people can pass it. I want qualified fire fighters saving my life not a Black or Hispanic or Asian fire fighter.
Failing tests and not achieving the next level of your career should be motivation for an individual to push themselves to do better. Complaining and whining to get what you want and then giving it to them is Aaaaaa welfare - giving something for nothing in return...
Stop this insanity ... please... someone's life could depend on it.

Well said. I am so tired of qualified people not getting the job just because we have to bow down to people who can't add 2 + 2. I don't want a dumb firefighter on the job. I want someone smart who can think in a crisis.

Is that like reverse 911?

Jokers. Discrimination in reverse is not discrimination.

Get a clue.

Go Smart White Firefighters! What kind of lesson is this sending to kids in school? It's telling them not to study or try hard to get ahead. It tells them that if they're a minority they'll get anything they want because of their skin color. An answer on a test is either right or wrong. Why are the whites taking a hit for studying and being smart?

Next thing you know there will be different tests in school. How about molding the SATs to favor minorities? Why not choose a minority with a low grade average for valdictorian? Why are we punishing whites for picking up a book and studying hard? Why are we rewarding people who can't pass a test? Hope the white firefighters win big. Enough is enough!!!!

When taking the test do not put your race or gender or write the opposite of what you are and you will pass. Somebody told me that, they don't even look at the answers...!

Let's see..
1) Every Outzs test in BPT has been flawed and challenged..
Sgt's test- People promoted that cant even read (.A.N.G.e.L.O) Scores fixed for Guardians who got tutored by Outzs
2)-Detectives test- Scores fixed Three times. One by Outzs for Guardians, Fixed second time by Civil Service..people at the top went to the bottom..hmm? Third time reset by Mayor,Chief,Outzs and Union..still differnt list of names?
3) New Haven Test done bu Outz..screwd up ..test scores changed(manipulated by test designer)
4) Bpt Fire Dept test by Outzs..test scores again manipulated.
5) Lt.'s test (BPT) Guardian leaders responsible for securing test score at the top..mnembers without qualified time took test......AGAIN OUTZs!!!
Is it me, or does anybody else in CT notice that every Outzs test is "designed to be manipulated!! Get rid of this Idiot. He costs big cities more money in lawsuits that what you would pay everyone promoted on his biased testing process. I cant believe that the Dept. of Justice is not on to this scam he has in cities with big undereducated minoriy populations!
This is a slap in the face of every hard working American that aspires to "EARN" their rank and position based on hard work and skill,regardless of ethnic extract..will the real cops and firefighters please take back your departments before the politicians and carpetbaggers run them into the ground....please..before we start losing our lives with idiot unqualified supervisors...please!