Five White Philadelphia Police Officers Sue City Over Alleged Discriminatory Promotion Policy
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. — Five white male officers of the Philadelphia Police Department have filed a class-action lawsuit against the city, alleging that they were denied promotions due to their race and sex under a controversial city policy designed to increase diversity within the police force’s supervisory ranks. The plaintiffs—Lieutenants Christopher Bloom, Kollin Berg, Joseph Musumeci, and Sergeants Marc Monachello and LeRoy Ziegler Jr.—contend that the city’s so-called “Rule of Five” policy unfairly disadvantages white men in favor of minority and female candidates.
The lawsuit, filed in February 2026, centers on the city’s adoption of a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) promotion framework that replaced the longstanding “Rule of Two” policy. For decades, Philadelphia’s promotion system required appointing authorities to select from the top two candidates on civil-service eligibility lists, a practice intended to ensure merit-based advancement. However, in 2021, the city transitioned to the “Rule of Five,” which allows authorities to choose from a broader pool of candidates, purportedly to foster greater representation of minorities and women in leadership roles.
According to the complaint, this policy shift has resulted in the plaintiffs being passed over for promotions in November 2025, despite their qualifications and ranking. The officers allege that the “Rule of Five” was explicitly designed to increase minority and female representation “at the expense of white men,” thereby violating federal anti-discrimination laws.
The city’s policy change aligns with broader national efforts to address longstanding disparities in law enforcement agencies, which have historically been criticized for underrepresenting minorities and women in command positions. The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission enforces laws prohibiting workplace discrimination, including in public safety departments, and has increasingly scrutinized promotion practices to ensure fairness.
Philadelphia’s shift to the “Rule of Five” reflects a growing trend among municipal governments to use DEI initiatives as tools to reshape public institutions. However, critics argue that such policies may inadvertently create reverse discrimination, leading to legal challenges like this one.
The lawsuit highlights the tension between efforts to promote diversity and the legal protections afforded to all employees regardless of race or gender. It also raises questions about how cities can balance equitable representation with merit-based promotion systems.
Legal experts note that the outcome of this case could have significant implications for police departments nationwide that have implemented similar DEI-focused promotion policies. The Department of Justice Civil Rights Division often investigates allegations of discrimination in public agencies and may monitor the case closely.
Philadelphia officials have not publicly commented on the lawsuit. Meanwhile, the plaintiffs seek to have the current promotion policy overturned and to receive the promotions they claim they were unjustly denied.
As police departments across the country grapple with calls for reform and increased accountability, the legal battle in Philadelphia underscores the complexities involved in restructuring institutional practices to achieve diversity without infringing on individual rights.
For more information on federal guidelines regarding workplace discrimination and promotion practices, see the EEOC’s guidance on promotions and demotions and the Office of Personnel Management’s diversity and inclusion policies.
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