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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1975 10-28 Police commission approves statement on sex bias suit REIVEW Police commission approves statement on sex bias suit 197s- 1/4.. by Scott Carlson mission, at its annual meeting in 1974, meeting, admitted that he forgot to in- The Maplewood Police Civil Service made changes but overlooked the fact t udetecommission om an iss on in his Cityrreply and nd that Commission(MPCSC) at its meeting last that the title of "policewoman" still itwas Miller, rsat Maer week agreed to send on a statement to the remained in the rules. Michaelid he assumedMthat that samecommeeting,et was Minnesota State Department of Human The commission, at its meeting last Rights in response to Patricia Ferrazzo's week, approved O'Mara's proposed onlydirected against thecity. ity.he complaint that she has been statement with some minor rs rattorney discriminated against because she has modifications. ,. JudithPared to Oakes, contends all that shes is other corn- not received equal pay for equal work as a Chairman Joseph Griemann from the P reg andofficers receivesexcept salary,enwhich is woman police officer. outset of the discussion wanted a Po Commissioner Ed O'Mara, a member statement that presented only the facts about$300 less per month than a similar of the MPCSC since its inception in 1962, involving the commission's role in the officer. Mrs. Ferrazzo has been with the Maplewood force for 15 years.She pointed drew up the statement and read it to the issue. out that performs police duties and is Maplewood city council at its Oct. 16 Commissioner Lyle Rheim objected to certifiedhsheae a police officer. meeting since"damn few people know the O'Mara's wording on permitting on contends that facts (about the case)" but news stories "females and minorities to more easily Miller,Ferrazzo's the otherhand, are mainly tat on the case had already been in print. qualify for the position."Rhein indicated Mrs.ecal and that she duties paid considerably In that statement,O'Mara informed the that made it seem that the requirements clmore a cat she is paid council that the commission had changed were being lowered. Mrs.ethana clerical Ferrazzo's complaint was filed rker. a job classification in its police rules And Rhein suggested that the wording with the Rights Department ed which eliminated the title of be changed to read "better qualify." Jul 17.hThe Human Rights Department on policewoman. O'Mara told the council City Attorney Don Lais,who at the Oct. has a 90 dayHuman to Department investigate ent that the action had been taken this past 16 city council meeting was attacked for period the spring to conform with human rights having left out the commission in a complaint. legislation and the city's affirmative response to Mrs. Ferrazzo's complaint, How the Human Rights Department action program "to permit females and said, "In some cases by changing the rules on the complaint will either support minorities to more easily qualify for the rules you made it possible for them to or negate the validity of the commission's ualif " rule change in job classification. The position." q y' O'Mara pointed out that the com Lais, at the last regular council issue then could still be settled in court ifone of the parties objects to the ruling. The commission early last summer requested that Minnesota Attorney General Warren Spannaus issue an opinion of the validity of the rule change. Spannaus refused to issue an opinion because of a lack of facts and the possibility that the matter could go to court. But he admitted that the com- mission's change to comply with human rights legislation may have been legally necessary. The commission by changing the rule feels that Mrs. Ferrazzo automatically became a police officer. The commission therefore disagrees with the administration's contention that Mrs. Ferrazzo should take a test to become certified as a police officer.