HOUMA, La. (AP) -- No action will be taken against Houma fire officials by the U.S. Justice Department for demoting three black captains earlier this month.
The three were among eight captains demoted and reassigned to new stations when one of the city's five stations was closed to save money. Fire officials say rising health care costs and retirement benefits have left them without the money they need to keep all five stations open.
Jerome Boykin, president of the Terrebonne Parish NAACP chapter, filed a complaint with the Justice Department after the demoted captains complained to him. He said he recently received word that Justice Department officials won't take any action on the complaint, but he plans to pursue other options.
Houma Fire Chief Brian Hebert said the personnel changes were made according to state civil-service law, which takes the time served in a specific rank into consideration but not overall seniority.
The eight captains demoted were the eight with the least amount of time in the rank of captain, according to fire department records.
Following the demotions, only one black captain remained.
Boykin asked the Justice Department to investigate the demotions, citing the 1977 consent decree issued by the Eastern District of U.S. District Court in United States of America v. City of Alexandria, et al.
The 1977 decree, which lists Houma as one of 48 defendants, forbids fire and police departments from unlawfully discriminating against any black or female applicant in hiring, promotion, assignment, upgrading, training, discipline or discharge because of race, color or sex.
Boykin said he will now seek an investigation from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
