Maui settles police age discrimination lawsuit for $24K

WAILUKU (AP) — Maui County will pay $24,000 to settle a lawsuit claiming the police department discriminated against a 45-year-old officer applicant.

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission announced the settlement Tuesday. The agency filed a lawsuit in 2013 saying the department didn’t hire Lars Sandstorm because of his age even though he was well-qualified with a bachelor’s degree and military experience. The lawsuit alleges the department hired younger, less qualified applicants.

As part of the settlement the department must implement various anti-discrimination measures.

County spokesman Rod Antone says the department willingly agreed to the consent decree to avoid extensive litigation. He says the department is committed to complying with all laws and training.

According to the EEOC, age discrimination accounted for 19 percent of the agency’s charges filed in Hawaii last year.