Washington v. Davis

Respondents Harley and Sellers, both Negroes, whose applications to become police officers in the District of Columbia had been rejected, in an action against District of Columbia officials and others, claimed that the Police Department's recruiting procedures, including a written personnel test, were racially discriminatory and violated the Due Process Clause of the Fifth Amendment.

Though the Due Process Clause of the Fifth Amendment contains an equal protection component prohibiting the Government from invidious discrimination, it does not follow that a law or other official act is unconstitutional solely because it has a racially disproportionate impact regardless of whether it reflects a racially discriminatory purpose.

Equal Protection | Classifications Based on Race and National Origin