S.C. state police sued by 2 female agents

S.C. state police sued by 2 female agents
Associated Press
Posted: Sunday, Feb. 01, 2009
Two female agents with South Carolina's state police are suing the agency in federal court, saying they were denied promotions because of their gender.

In lawsuits filed last week, State Law Enforcement Division agents Laurie V. Caldwell of Lexington County and Melody D. Wright of Richland County claim they were unfairly denied lieutenant positions in 2006 and 2007. Wright, who is black, also alleges she was passed over because of her race.

Former SLED chief Robert Stewart, who was not named in the lawsuits, told The State newspaper of Columbia that government agencies had investigated the women's claims and found no basis for them.

“There were a number of females in supervisory positions when I was at SLED,” said Stewart, who retired in November 2007 after 20 years as the state's top police officer.

State Human Affairs Commission chief Jesse Washington told the newspaper his office closed both women's cases with “no cause” findings.

Holy crap.....just because you are a protected class does not give you the RIGHT to rank. You still have to earn it like everyone else.