Police Swimming Requirement Dropped So Blacks Can Apply

(North Miami, Florida) The local police department has eliminated the requirement that officers must be able to swim in order to allow blacks to apply for jobs on the force. Experts say that blacks in general are less likely than whites to be proficient swimmers and, therefore, they are discouraged from joining the police.

Mayor Joe Celestin, who is Haitian-American, stated that the force should reflect the population of the community which is 60% black. The swimming requirement prevented this from happening.

My take is that this action seems reasonable and warranted. Only if a policeman has a job responsibility which involves swimming should there be a prerequisite requirement. It has to be noted, however, that people can be taught how to swim. So, if it's important, teach them to swim.