CA: Oakland police applicants asked to disclose whether they were sexually assaulted

Space_Time · Oct 21, 2018

Is this appropriate? Is this a way to exclude women? Would you answer the question?

https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea...applicants-must-disclose-if-they-13322272.php

LOCAL // BAY AREA & STATE
Oakland police applicants asked to disclose whether they were sexually assaulted
Photo of Kimberly Veklerov
Kimberly Veklerov Oct. 21, 2018 Updated: Oct. 21, 2018 4 a.m.

A woman, who once applied for a position with the Oakland Police Department - thinks it was her answer to a particular question that was the reason her application denial, stands in front of the National Police Memorial on Friday Oct. 19, 2018 in Washington D.C. - The Oakland Police Department, which has struggled to recruit women into its ranks, requires all officer applicants to disclose whether they have been sexually assaulted before they can be hired, The Chronicle has learned. Other large-city PDs in California say they do not ask the question, and officials in Oakland could not give a clear reason as to why that question is part of their application process, other than to point out that they want to know if applicants have been involved in any police reports, either as victims, witnesses or accused.

The Oakland Police Department, which has long struggled to recruit women, asks all officer applicants to disclose whether they have been sexually assaulted, The Chronicle has learned.

The inquiry does not appear to be common. The Chronicle checked with police departments in the 10 most populous cities in California and could not find another that screens for whether candidates are sexual assault victims.

The practice is “inexcusable,” said retired Portland, Ore., Police Chief Penny Harrington, the first woman to lead a major city police force.
“There’s absolutely no reason to be doing that,” said Harrington, who founded the National Center for Women and Policing. “I can’t imagine why they would need to know that information, except as a way to wash out women.”

Legal experts said the inquiry is odd and potentially problematic, although there is disagreement over whether it’s illegal.
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CA: Oakland police applicants asked to disclose whether they were sexually assaulted

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CA: Oakland police applicants asked to disclose whether they were sexually assaulted

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