Will Grigg?s Liberty Minute

July 30, 2008

Robert Jordan of New London, Connecticut, a 48-year-old insurance salesman, wanted to be a policeman.

In 1996, Jordan applied to the police department. Like all applicants, he took a pre-employment intelligence test, scoring 33 points out of a possible 50. However, the department was only interested in applicants whose scores were between 20 and 27.

The reasoning here is that people with even modestly exceptional intelligence will find themselves bored or frustrated with police work. This policy is not unique to the New London Police, but so far they?re the only agency to be sued over it.

Jordan?s court challenge resulted in a federal court ruling this month upholding the hiring policy. Jordan?s ?equal protection? claim would have been upheld if he were a member of an officially accredited ethnic minority, a woman, or a sexual deviant.

But there is no such recourse for those found to be too intelligent for government work.

Let us take back the liberty wherewith Christ has made us free.