I dont want to second-guess the choice of the city manager, Trantalis said. CNN Sans & 2016 Cable News Network. A city of Fort Lauderdale news release said the chief, Larry Scirotto, 48, was fired by City Manager Chris Lagerbloom on Thursday. And I anticipate they will all step up and support the new chief.. He came in as the department was dealing with backlash from incidents during protests after George Floyds murder in Minneapolis. These Valuable Pennies Are Worth Thousands, From Haiti Through Liberty City to Top Federal Prosecutor in South Florida: the Unlikely Story of Markenzy Lapointe, Driver Arrested After Fleeing Margate Crash That Killed Mother, Hospitalized Toddler Last Month. ]. [RELATED: Fort Lauderdales interim police chief vows to reform troubled department], Unfortunately, the current recruitment process did not produce a finalist list that contained enough candidates to continue moving it forward, Lagerbloom wrote. FL Sheriff Calls Anti-Semitic Group "Scumbags, Says He's Honored to be On Their Hit List, "These scumbags came to the wrong county," Volusia County Sheriff, Mike Chitwood, said. Chicago Police Superintendent David Brown is resigning effective March 16, Lightfoot said in a statement. Roln declined to comment on the application process. Copyright 2022 by WPLG Local10.com - All rights reserved. Chief Greg Allen joined the El Paso Police Department in 1978, starting off patrolling Central and the West Side. El Paso Chief Dies After 15 Years Leading Department. 2023 Cable News Network. Copyright 2023 Local10.com is published by WPLG INC., a Berkshire Hathaway company. If I die on the hill for promoting diversity, as I was charged by the city manager to do from the day I was hired, then I will sleep well at night, he told the South Florida Sun Sentinel. He is also a graduate of the Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command. Starting Monday, April 4, Patrick Lynn will take over the department, announced Fort Lauderdale City Manager Chris . By submitting your email to receive this newsletter, you agree to our. Interviewed by officials, Scirotto denied asking which candidate was blacker when deciding on the promotion, but admitted to making comments about the wall of staff photos being too white because, he felt, it did not reflect the ethnically diverse community the police department serves. The list of semi-finalists represented a lot of talent both within and outside the department, Mayor Dean Trantalis said. I believe weve found that.. Hes also a masters degree candidate in Organizational Development and Leadership at Saint Josephs University. (Photo courtesy of City of Fort Lauderdale), its handling of downtown protests on May 31 and the aftermath. The citys police department is now under the leadership of Acting Chief Luis Alvarez, the city said, and the selection process for a new chief is underway. He joined Davies police department as chief soon after where he served until 2017. Scirotto spent more than two decades as a police officer in Pittsburgh, and was initially welcomed in the Florida post as an outsider untouched by cronyism. [RELATED: Fort Lauderdale Police Chief Rick Maglione removed as officers face scrutiny over protest brutality]. He holds a bachelors degree in criminal justice from Ashworth University and is a masters degree candidate in Organizational Development and Leadership from Saint Josephs University. Days after he was fired, the former police chief for the Fort Lauderdale Police Department is strongly denying allegations that he promoted officers based on their race, gender and sexual orientation. Lynn has been in law enforcement for 35 years beginning as began as a patrol officer with the City of Pembroke Pines Police Department in 1982. Scirotto was sworn-in as police chief in mid-August, and the city had hired a law firm by November to investigate complaints of discrimination before he was fired on Thursday, according to a copy of the law firms report obtained by CNN. appreciated. The department has about 530 officers and 179 civilian employees. We want to really have a police department that is focused on 21st century modern policing, Lagerbloom said. He turns 63 in October of this year the mandatory retirement age for Chicago police officers. Larry Scirotto is sworn in as the new chief of the Fort Lauderdale Police Department by Chief Judge Jack Tuter on 24 August 2021, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He also reorganized the Violent Crime Unit by combining homicide, aggravated assault and robbery investigations into a single unit to prioritize crimes against people. Updated The previous chief Rick Maglione was reassigned in July. Larry Scirotto has been selected by the city manager to become Fort Lauderdale's next police chief. The other five are Dennis Jackson II, retired assistant chief for the Miami Police Department; Heather Morris, assistant chief for the Houston Police Department; Larry Scirotto, retired assistant chief for the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police; and Kristen Ziman, chief of the Aurora (Ill.) Police Department. The fact that hes an external candidate leaves some unknowns. Fort Lauderdale Police Chief Larry Scirotto has been fired for prioritizing minority candidates during the hiring process, reported CNN. The city of Fort Lauderdale has fired its police chief Larry Scirotto, who has been in office for less than a year, following allegations of discriminatory practices for promotions. Copyright 2021 by WPLG Local10.com - All rights reserved. After less than a year on the job, Fort Lauderdale's top cop is being fired after an investigation into employee complaints. (Adelaide Chen) Scirotto told CNN he promoted 15 people from August to November, and of that group, six were ethnic or gender minorities selected for promotions based on their merit. Fort Lauderdale Police Department. The departments rank and file are eager to see a new leader named, said Detective Brandon Diaz, police union president. In 2020, Lynn stepped into a former role as Davies police chief after Dale Engle resigned. Investigates both sworn and civilian public safety candidates, vendors, and other support candidates through in-person interviews. Lagerbloom also chose Scirotto the youngest assistant chief in the history of the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police for his extensive background in patrol work and experience with investigative and administrative assignments. If you need help with the Public File, call (954) 364-2526. A 23-year veteran with the Pittsburgh department, Scirotto retired in January 2018 and moved to Dallas two years later. And how do I purport we have that when the entire bottom row are white men? Scirotto told WFOR. Larry Scirotto says he promoted minority candidates because they were exceptional not because they were minority. Fort Lauderdale Police names Patrick Lynn chief. Lagerbloom said it is a return to the department for Lynn, who served as Interim Chief in 2021. FLPD had been criticized for its handling of downtown protests. I want them to be competent and experienced and open minded and sensitive to the diversity of our community.. Units of the Office of the Chief of Police. He plans to stay onboard for awhile to help with the transition, Lagerbloom said. While I appreciate that respect, I strongly feel the playing field must be level for all candidates.. Fort Lauderdale's police chief has been fired after only about six months on the job following an investigation into complaints that he made hiring and promotion decisions with an improper minority-first approach. Fort Lauderdales now-former police chief has hit back at officials in the Florida city who fired him after just six months on the job, accusing him of focusing too heavily on a diversity policy in hiring and promotion. Your effort and contribution in providing this feedback is much "We are pleased to see that the city of Fort Lauderdale is taking allegations of discriminatory practices within the department seriously," Tonja Haddad Coleman said. He started making positive changes that would impact the whole community in a more positive direction than we had been in," community activist Jackie Scott said. Soon after being hired, Scirotto promoted 15 officers nine were white men, six were minorities through ethnicity or gender. A Warner Bros. She stepped down in February after Lagerbloom, unhappy with the list of contenders, said he was conducting a new search for the departments top cop. He was also a member of the Tallahassee Police Department from 1988 until 2011. Atlanta-Area Agency Facing Critical Officer Shortage. College Degrees Designed for Police Officers, Best Practices for Active Shooter Response and Police Training, The Tennessee Department of Public Safety Increased Visibility, Accountability and Accuracy with Inventory Management Software Designed Specifically for Law Enforcement, DC Mayor Taps Veteran Metro Officer as Next Police Chief, After Murders of Officers in Charlotte Area NC Chiefs Ask Governor to Condemn Attacks on Police, CA Sheriff Defies Judge's Order to Release Violent Inmates Over COVID, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Chief Tests Positive for COVID-19, Chicago Police Superintendent Announces Resignation. Officials told reporters they anticipated narrowing the list to four by mid-June. Scirotto had been accused of overlooking white. Lagerbloom now has a new plan: appoint a new interim chief from outside the department who is not interested in the job. He is the first Latino to hold the position. For nearly a year, Fort Lauderdale's troubled police department has been without a permanent leader, with two different interim chiefs taking over while a national search was underway. Our officers deserve some stability, which theyre finally going to get., Larry Scirotto, a former assistant police chief in Pittsburgh, has been tapped to lead the Fort Lauderdale Police Department. Some believed it was about time changes were made, but stated if promotions were based on things such as race it would even hurt or undermine the people promoted, the report said. If promoting diversity is the hill Im going to die on, I will sleep well tonight, he said. Thats not the case, and it never was. He told CNN the report that triggered his termination from the department was vague on the facts. Larry Scirotto is expected to join the department in mid-August, City Manager Chris Lagerbloom announced Tuesday. He formerly served as a deputy chief in charge of OPDs Patrol Services Bureau, including during the shooting at Pulse nightclub in June 2016, and has held positions in most of the agencys departments over his career. Protestors assemble outside Fort Lauderdale Police Department headquarters on Sept 27, 2020. The city manager is taking his time, Glassman said. Lagerbloom says some potential candidates are not applying out of respect for Dietrich. "I think our community was really excited changing the culture of what we had experienced here in our police department.. Scirotto did not return NBC 6's requests for comment. The job pays between $116,047 and $197,300 a year. He said a mix of emotions will come over him as he finishes his last week on. Engle came under fire after he suggested that a Broward Sheriffs Office deputys death from COVID-19 was linked to his sexuality. The promotions I made of minority candidates were because they were exceptional candidates who excelled at every level of the organization, who deserved to be promoted and who were, by the way, happened to be minority not because they were minority., Scirotto was sworn-in as police chief in mid-August last year. As assistant chief, Scirotto was responsible for oversight of the police bureaus accreditation, policy development, labor management, internal investigations, and criminal intelligence and education. There are things we can do better. Throughout the decades, he moved up to the rank of deputy chief in charge of the Central and Pebble Hills regional command centers. All rights reserved. By November, the city had hired a law firm to investigate complaints. Some believed it was about time changes were made, but stated if promotions were based on things such as race it would even hurt or undermine the people promoted, the report said. Chicago Losing Officers to Florida Agencies. A city of Fort Lauderdale news release said the chief, Larry Scirotto, 48, was fired by City Manager Chris Lagerbloom on Thursday. Vice Mayor Steve Glassman later described the entire scene as a horror show, saying it was hard to watch the police body camera footage recorded that day. Again, I go back to the fact that we support a very diverse organization," Lagerbloom said. The city of Fort Lauderdale has fired its police chief Larry Scirotto, who has been in office for less than a year, following allegations of discriminatory practices for promotions. State police said a $15,000 salary increase for state polices sworn personnel had helped increase the number of officers in the agency. And were talking in conversation as it relates to our community and the expectation of a diverse and inclusive organization. Make no mistake weve had events occur in our police department in the last month, but I can tell you theres not been one event that has been the decision-making event, Lagerbloom said in July. The first round of applications did not measure up to the expectations of the city manager, Trantalis said. Scirotto denied asking which candidate was blacker when deciding on the promotion, but admitted to making comments about the wall being too white, because he felt it was not reflective of the community, according to the report. There would have been 12 white men, one white woman and two minorities if I had promoted as the complainants say I should have, Scirotto told the paper. Susannah Bryan can be reached at sbryan@sunsentinel.com or on Twitter @Susannah_Bryan. "We serve a very diverse community and thats important. Ali Adamson, spokesperson for the Office of the Chief at FLPD, directed questions to the City of Fort Lauderdale, which did not respond to multiple requests Thursday. Scirotto told CNN Saturday the report that triggered his termination from the department was vague on the facts, and was largely based on hearsay. "You came to the wrong county. Some officers seem to revel in the return fire. Scirotto said he has obtained legal counsel and is planning on filing a wrongful termination lawsuit against the city. This is not a moment in time. I have a vision for the department, Scirotto said at the time. Attorney Christina Currie used to head the Ft. Lauderdale Citizens Investigative Panel which looked into complaints against officers. He comes to us at an important moment in law enforcement as departments nationwide work to ensure community trust and that everyone is treated equally and fairly in interactions with officers. FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. Fort Lauderdale has named its new Chief of Police. According to the job posting, the ideal candidate will be interpersonal and culturally sensitive; ethical and of high integrity; a supporter, coach and mentor; and a diplomatic, prudent and highly effective conflict manager. Other candidates vying for the Fort Lauderdale position come from similar leadership roles. Staff reporter David Harris and reporter Susannah Bryan with the South Florida Sun-Sentinel contributed to this report. Now, he is in the running to take the top cop job, down south.The city of Fort Lauderdale sent WESH 2 News a list of semi-finalists for its police chief position and Rolon is in the running . Humane Society of Broward County Kicks Off VCA Walk for the Animals in Fort Lauderdale, BSO Searching forMissing 11-Year-Old Girl From Pompano Beach, Miami-Dade Mayor, State Attorney Announce New Measures to Protect HOA Residents, Check Your Change! Scirotto joined the department after the Fort Lauderdale police were hit by accusations of internal turmoil and use of excessive force after officers fired rubber bullets and teargas into a crowd protesting the 2020 murder of George Floyd, a Black man, by a white police officer in Minneapolis, which sparked civil rights protests across the country and internationally. Dietrich has been in charge of the agencys 530 sworn officers and 179 civilians since July 9, when Lagerbloomdemoted Rick Maglionefrom chief to major. Click for details on her case and to see how you can help. Scirotto, a former assistant chief in Pittsburgh, was the first openly gay chief hired in Fort Lauderdale and also is from a mixed-race background. Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning. Fort Lauderdale Police Department | Home Home News Sitemap Contact Us Employee Recognition-Complaint Hotline 954-828-6956 RSS Home About FLPD News Community Solve Crimes Employment FAQs Help Us Find Sophie Reeder Click for details on her case and to see how you can help. We must change our tactics, our strategy, our training and the way we are accountable to the public for our actions.. Sign up for NBC South Florida newsletters. Lagerbloom has declined to say just what prompted the move, but five days earlier Maglione had posted a public statement defending the actions his officers took during aMay 31 protestover the killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis police. . He did talk about wanting to hire from outside to bring in fresh energy., [RELATED: Pop his ass. Bodycam videos show protesters throwing things at police. Karen Dietrich, an assistant chief who came up through the ranks, took over as interim chief the same day Maglione was demoted. I believe to build trust and legitimacy in any organization, the trust is earned, he said. Fort Lauderdales new chief happens to be a fitness enthusiast and collegiate basketball referee. Florida Gov. I stand with my Jewish friends, and Im honored to be on your hit list. Provide a safe and orderly environment in our city through professionalism, dedication, an active partnership with the community and concern for individual dignity. Police accused some protesters of throwing rocks, bricks and fireworks, arguing that warranted a strong response. The attorney for the four officers who filed the EEOC complaints said in a statement that she hopes the "city continues on this path making improvements within the agency.. I know we dont release the data publicly in a way I want to, so the public can see when we use force and the outcome of that force.. Michelle Solomon, Podcast Producer/Reporter. Damned if you do, damned if you dont. The acting police chief will be Luis Alvarez, who is currently an assistant chief. The Commission said the measure was being taken in a step to increase diversity in the department. Larry Scirotto, a former assistant chief from Pittsburgh, will be taking the helm on Aug. 16. But retirement didnt last for long. Fort Lauderdale's police chief has been fired after only about six months on the job following an investigation into complaints that he made hiring and promotion decisions with an improper. RELATED: Pop his ass. Bodycam videos show protesters throwing things at police. When asked about his approach to promotions, Scirotto told investigators he was going to consider diversity at every opportunity, and he had to be intentional in his decision-making process. City Manager Chris Lagerbloom shared the news Tuesday with the departments command staff and rank and file. Gainesville, FL, Disbands K-9 Unit Over Arrestee Losing Eye, IL Deputy Dies After Medical Event During Training, New TASER 10 Will Require Training for Seasoned Officers, Brinc Announces Next Generation of Lemur Drone, Michigan State Police Helicopter Fired On, Suspect Killed by Troopers on Ground, 11 Inspirational Quotes to Boost Police Morale in Trying Times, VA Lawmakers Pass Bill Allowing Chiefs to Set Curfews During Unrest, The bill if signed into law would empower local law enforcement chiefs to impose curfews for up to 24 hours if there is an imminent threat of any civil commotion or disturbance in the nature of a riot which constitutes a clear and present danger., Newsweek: Apprenticeships Would Improve Police Training. CNN obtained a copy of the report that also said Scirotto had overlooked a white man with 20 years tenure with the department, and instead narrowed the choice for a job between two men of color, and asked: Which one is blacker?. ", KY State Police Welcome Largest Cadet Class in Years. The Madison, WI, Police and Fire Commission voted Monday to stop requiring credit checks of prospective police officers. FL Sheriff Chases After Suspect During Radio Interview. More , The City of Fort Lauderdale is an Equal Opportunity Employer.-, Fort Lauderdale Police Department, 1300 W Broward Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312 | Tel: 954-828-5700 | Internal Affairs: 954-828-6956 |Site Map, 2023 Fort Lauderdale Police Department | Created by Vision Internet Innovators of Online Government. Karen Dietrich is stepping down as interim chief of the Fort Lauderdale Police Department after six months in the role, effectively taking herself out of the running to be the agency's top cop. Its a wait-and-see attitude, Diaz added. When sworn in as chief, Roln said he would prioritize officer wellbeing and pursue de-escalation and mass-casualty incident training for officers. Lagerbloom made his pick from a list of eight semi-finalists that included three internal candidates: Fort Lauderdales Assistant Chief Frank Sousa, Maj. Dana Swisher and Capt.