Police officers in Philadelphia file a lawsuit against the city for allegations of sex and racial discrimination

Philadelphia Police Officers File Lawsuit Over Promotions

A group of five police officers in Philadelphia has filed a lawsuit, claiming they were denied promotions due to their race and gender.

The officers involved—Lt. Christopher Bloom, Lt. Colin Berg, Lt. Joseph Musumeci, Sergeant Mark Monachello, and Lt. Leroy Ziegler Jr.—are all white men. Their class action suit asserts that in November 2025, they were passed over for promotions in violation of the city’s “Rule of Five” policy.

The suit states, “The City of Philadelphia adopted a pro-diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policy known as the ‘Rule of Five,’ aimed explicitly at increasing minority and female representation in supervisory roles at the expense of white men.”

This controversy is not new for the city. Philadelphia historically operated under what was called the “two-man rule,” which required decision-makers to select from just the top two candidates for promotions. That practice ended in 2021 when the city updated to a “floating rule,” or “Rule of Five,” allowing wider choices from candidates eligible for civil service promotions.

During the announcement of the “floating rule” policy, then-City Council member Sherrell Parker remarked that the previous rule stifled opportunities for minority employees. She emphasized the importance of reforming the promotion processes to support equal advancement.

The lawsuit indicates that the plaintiffs believe the Philadelphia Police Department (PPD) and other senior law enforcement agencies have enacted policies that reflect the city’s racial and gender makeup, often sidelining qualified candidates based on these factors alone.

Gene Hamilton, president of America First Legal, which is representing the officers, stated, “Federal law prohibits discrimination based on race or sex—there are no exceptions for white Americans.” He defended their stance, affirming their commitment to the rights of their clients.

The legal team, led by Wally Zimolong and Jonathan F. Mitchell, considers the case significant, articulating that the city of Philadelphia’s actions frequently conflict with constitutional principles.

This lawsuit isn’t an isolated incident. In late 2025, the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) sought a federal investigation into police promotion practices, claiming that the new policy contradicted earlier assurances that it wouldn’t be broadly applied. Complaints about unfair promotions have surged, with many officers expressing concerns about being overlooked for less qualified individuals due to their race or gender.

The officers’ lawsuit demands that the city eliminate the “Rule of Five,” maintain unbiased hiring and promotion practices, and reinstate the plaintiffs to their rightful ranks along with back pay and benefits for lost promotions.