Filed Date: Aug. 28, 1978
Closed Date: Aug. 11, 2025
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On July 7, 2025, the United States filed an unopposed motion in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia to dissolve a 1978 consent decree (Civil Action No. 2:78-cv-418) that had governed the City of Norfolk’s hiring practices in its Police and Fire Departments for 47 years. The underlying action, initiated on August 28, 1978, alleged that the City had engaged in a pattern and practice of discrimination against Black and female applicants for sworn positions in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the State and Local Fiscal Assistance Act of 1972, the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968, and the Fourteenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.
Pursuant to the litigation, the City entered into a consent decree that established interim and long-term hiring goals, required affirmative recruitment measures, and mandated compliance with anti-discrimination laws. The interim goals, set for five years, required that 20% of all entry-level police officer and cadet positions and 30% of all entry-level firefighter positions be filled by Black applicants, and that women be hired for 20% of all entry-level police officer and cadet positions. The United States argued that the decree, designed as a temporary remedy for employment discrimination, was no longer necessary because the City had surpassed its hiring objectives and had “substantially changed its employment practices.”
District Judge Jamar K. Walker granted the motion on August 11, 2025, dissolving and vacating the 1978 Consent Decree. The court held that there had been "significant changes in factual circumstances" and the decree was "no longer necessary". The court found that the City of Norfolk had exceeded the interim and long-term employment goals of the consent decree and had demonstrated "substantial compliance" and "good faith" efforts regarding lawful hiring practices.
Attorney General Pamela Bondi stated in a press release: “Local communities must be able to choose firefighters and police officers based on skill and dedication to public safety, not to meet DEI quotas imposed by federal courts and the federal government. Thanks to this Department of Justice, the City of Norfolk’s first responder hiring will finally be free from federal micromanagement for the first time in almost 50 years.”
Summary Authors
Victoria Tan (8/15/2025)
See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71061892/united-states-v-city-of-norfolk/
Last updated Aug. 23, 2025, 10:50 a.m.
State / Territory: Virginia
Case Type(s):
Special Collection(s):
Trump Administration 2.0: Litigation and Investigations Involving the Government
Key Dates
Filing Date: Aug. 28, 1978
Closing Date: Aug. 11, 2025
Case Ongoing: No
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
United States
Public Interest Lawyer: Yes
Filed Pro Se: No
Class Action Sought: No
Class Action Outcome: Not sought
Defendants
City of Norfolk Fire Department, City
City of Norfolk Civil Service Commission, City
City of Norfolk Police Department, City
Defendant Type(s):
Case Details
Causes of Action:
Title VII (including PDA), 42 U.S.C. § 2000e
Constitutional Clause(s):
Available Documents:
Outcome
Prevailing Party: Plaintiff
Nature of Relief:
Source of Relief:
Form of Settlement:
Court Approved Settlement or Consent Decree
Issues
General/Misc.: