Cops Barred for High IQs

http://abcnews.go.com/US/court-oks-barring-high-iqs-cops/story?id=95836

 

A man whose bid to become a police officer was rejected after he scored too high on an intelligence test has lost an appeal in his federal lawsuit against the city.

The 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New York upheld a lower court’s decision that the city did not discriminate against Robert Jordan because the same standards were applied to everyone who took the test.

“This kind of puts an official face on discrimination in America against people of a certain class,” Jordan said today from his Waterford home. “I maintain you have no more control over your basic intelligence than your eye color or your gender or anything else.”

He said he does not plan to take any further legal action.

Jordan, a 49-year-old college graduate, took the exam in 1996 and scored 33 points, the equivalent of an IQ of 125. But New London police interviewed only candidates who scored 20 to 27, on the theory that those who scored too high could get bored with police work and leave soon after undergoing costly training.

Most Cops Just Above Normal The average score nationally for police officers is 21 to 22, the equivalent of an IQ of 104, or just a little above average.

Jordan alleged his rejection from the police force was discrimination. He sued the city, saying his civil rights were violated because he was denied equal protection under the law.

But the U.S. District Court found that New London had “shown a rational basis for the policy.” In a ruling dated Aug. 23, the 2nd Circuit agreed. The court said the policy might be unwise but was a rational way to reduce job turnover.

Jordan has worked as a prison guard since he took the test.

tscout's picture

      You'd think that they might make him a detective or something !! and this was in 1996 !

Noa's picture

Yeah, I think the concern is that smart people won't blindly follow orders. 

But that doesn't explain why the military customarily appoints college grads to officer positions.

Brian's picture

because they give orders...hehe

The reason given sounds plausible. You probably have to come up thru the ranks to become a detective...(unless you're the new Sherlock Holmes-a REALLY addicting series-1st season is on Netflix)

The Gathering Spot is a PEERS empowerment website
"Dedicated to the greatest good of all who share our beautiful world"