Pennsylvania: DOJ 'Hectoring' It Over Fitness Test Administered To Trooper Candidates

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvania says it's committed to recruiting women into the state police force and accuses the federal government of "hectoring" it over the physical fitness tests administered to trooper candidates.

The state wants a federal judge to throw out a lawsuit filed by the U.S. Department of Justice. The suit says the use of the fitness tests to screen and select applicants amounts to a pattern of employment discrimination and has illegally kept dozens of otherwise qualified women out of jobs.

The suit says that under one version of the test, 98 percent of male applicants passed, while 72 percent of female applicants passed.

In its response, the state denies there's a gross disparity between the pass rates for men and women.Pennsylvania also says the federal government has overstepped its authority.

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