Thirteen current and former police officers in San Francisco claim they were denied promotions because they are white, according to a lawsuit filed in federal court.
The discrimination lawsuit against the city argues that the department promotes more women and people of color than would get bumped up to higher positions in a strict rank-order system based on test scores.
Of the 13 plaintiffs who say they were passed over for promotions to sergeant, lieutenant and captain, 12 are white men. The other plaintiff is a retired sergeant who said she was held back because she is a white lesbian.
The lawsuit claims violations of federal and state anti-discrimination laws and constitutional rights.
"The SFPD uses lawful, merit-based, competitive civil service examinations in making promotions," without regard to race, gender, religion and age, according to a statement from a city spokesman.
The lawsuit seeks an injunction that would bar the alleged bias promotion system as well as compensatory and punitive financial awards.
