PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Five Philadelphia police officers have filed a federal lawsuit that claims the policy to diversify leadership is illegal and discriminatory.
The “Rule of Five” or “Varying Rule” was set forth to help elevate minorities and women to leadership roles, to create a workforce more reflective of the city’s population, and was first introduced by then city councilmember Cherelle Parker.
It replaced the “Rule of Two,” which limited promotions to one of the top two candidates.
Lieutenants Christopher Bloom, Kollin Berg and Joseph Musumeci claim that even though they were ranked top 13 for 10 available captain spots based on a test, they were “passed over” because they are white men.
Sergeants Marc Monachello and Leroy Ziegler Jr. claim basically the same for the Lt. spots.
The five officers said they received an email from a deputy commissioner pointing to the “Rule of Five” as the reason they were passed over.
In November, the police union said they had an increased number of complaints about the annual promotion process and called for an investigation by the Department of Justice Civil Rights Division.
The lawsuit was filed by America First Legal, a President Trump-aligned legal organization created by White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller.
City officials would not comment on the pending litigation.