By Police1 Staff
BUFFALO, N.Y. — Based on improved hiring diversity, a judge will reduce the decades-old oversight of Buffalo’s police and fire departments.
The Buffalo News reported that Judge John Curtin first ordered the desegregation of the departments in 1979. The latest ruling by Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo aims to reduce that order; the courts will continue to oversee the selection of fire and police lieutenants.
The initial order stemmed from a complaint against the departments’ hiring practices, citing discrimination against minorities and women.
The police department is now 22 percent African-American, 8 percent Hispanic and 21 percent female, according to the report. In 1978, less than 1 percent were Hispanic or female and 3 percent were African-American.
The fire department, according to the report, is now 24 percent African-American, 5 percent Hispanic and 4 percent female. In 1978, no Hispanics or women were included and 2 percent were African-American.