The fact that hes an external candidate leaves some unknowns. Documents obtained from city officials by the South Florida Sun-Sentinel earlier this month show three internal candidates under consideration for police chief and five police officials from across Florida and the nation. The Sun Sentinel reports the list of candidates includes Interim Chief Karen Dietrich,a veteran Fort Lauderdale officerwho came up through the ranks; Craig Capri, former chief in Daytona Beach; Todd Chamberlain, a former Los Angeles school police chief and retired commander with the Los Angeles Police Department; Jack John Dale, a former Fort Lauderdale police captain and former colonel with the Broward Sheriffs Office; John Pate, city manager and director of Public Safety for Opa-locka; Tomas Sanchez, former chief of the Hollywood Police Department; and Cecil Smith, police chief in Sanford. "I think our community was really excited changing the culture of what we had experienced here in our police department.. Officer Shortage Has LAPD Asking Retirees to Come Back. He joined Davies police department as chief soon after where he served until 2017. While I appreciate that respect, I strongly feel the playing field must be level for all candidates.. He is also a graduate of the Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command. "I want a great relationship with people in our community who havent had access in the past," Scirotto said at the time. There are just certain ways that you can do that and do it legally, and other ways that meet that muster.. 2023 Cable News Network. 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.. Staff reporter David Harris and reporter Susannah Bryan with the South Florida Sun-Sentinel contributed to this report. In a statement the city said it had decided to cut ties with the police chief, who was not on a contract, saying: After a thorough and extensive investigation of employee complaints at the Fort Lauderdale Police Department, City Manager Chris Lagerbloom has determined that it is in the Citys best interest to separate employment with Larry Scirotto.. As I see it, this is a fresh start for everybody, including the internal leadership team, he told the South Florida Sun Sentinel. Ron DeSantis was doing some of the recruitment himself on Monday. A Warner Bros. City Manager Chris Lagerbloom has announced former Pittsburgh Assistant Chief Larry Scirotto as the sole finalist for Chief of the Fort Lauderdale Police Department. Speaking to CNN affiliate WFOR, Scirotto said the investigation was built on hearsay, and lacked testimony, transcript and audio. Fort Lauderdale police fired tear gas and rubber bullets during the protest, exacerbating to a chaotic and violent scene. By choosing Scirotto, Lagerbloom rejected three internal candidates who were among the semi-finalists. We must change our tactics, our strategy, our training and the way we are accountable to the public for our actions.. Officers would be paid the salary they had when they left but wouldnt receive vacation time or any health, disability and retirement benefits. Chicago Losing Officers to Florida Agencies. Aurora Police Chief Kristen Ziman is in the running to become chief of police in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, according to Fort Lauderdale city officials. 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.. Maglione lost his job as chief five days after posting a public statement defending actions his officers took during a May 31 protest over the killing of Floyd in Minneapolis. Michelle F. Solomon is the podcast producer/reporter/host of Local 10's original, true-crime podcast The Florida Files and a digital journalist for Local 10.com. Willie Dennard, captain . TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) Tallahassee's Community Partners Committee narrowed the list of candidates for the city's new chief of police from 17 names to 10 names. We want to really have a police department that is focused on 21st century modern policing, Lagerbloom said. In 2020, Lynn stepped into a former role as Davies police chief after Dale Engle resigned. City Manager Chris Lagerbloom shared the news Tuesday with the departments command staff and rank and file. The hosts on Drew Gerabo Live were left speculating what was happening when they could not reach the sheriff. But in the fall, things turned sour when Scirotto promoted a list of minority employees. FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. The city of Fort Lauderdale has identified a sole finalist for its chief of police position. Scirotto said he has obtained legal counsel and is planning on filing a wrongful termination lawsuit against the city. 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. He came from a department that shared the most information on data and statistics.. Copyright 2021 by WPLG Local10.com - All rights reserved. Other candidates vying for the Fort Lauderdale position come from similar leadership roles. Larry Scirotto who took over the Fort Lauderdale Police Department in August was fired by the city manager on Thursday, according to a press release. 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. 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. A city of Fort Lauderdale news release said the chief, Larry Scirotto, 48, was fired by City Manager Chris Lagerbloom on Thursday. I reached out and asked if hed be willing to come out of retirement, and thankfully, he said yes. A 23-year veteran with the Pittsburgh department, Scirotto retired in January 2018 and moved to Dallas two years later. Again, I go back to the fact that we support a very diverse organization," Lagerbloom said. He said the context of the comment is built around how do I convince the community that we are an inclusive and diverse organization if this wall is so white? the report said. Sheriff Thorntonposted a photo on Facebook of at least 17 unused patrol cars. March 4, 2022 FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) A Florida police chief has been fired after only about six months on the job following an investigation into several discrimination complaints. Larry Scirotto has been selected by the city manager to become Fort Lauderdale's next police chief. The Fort Lauderdale Police Department has been primarily operating under the direction of Assistant Chief Karen Dietrich since July, when City Manager Chris Lagerbloom demoted former Chief. Chief Scirotto emerged as the clear, sole finalist after a thorough year-long process in the search for a new leader of our department, Lagerbloom said in a statement. Police say protesters started it all when they threw rocks, bricks and fireworks. 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! FLPD Seeks to Identify Man Captured on Video Near Homicide Scene, Employee Recognition-Complaint Hotline 954-828-6956. I wont allow them to tarnish the work that Ive done in the 24 years Ive been in this profession., In one example in the report, Scirotto is alleged to have overlooked a White man with 20 years tenure with the department, and instead narrowed the choice between two men of color, and asked, which one is blacker.. All rights reserved. This is a movement. Orlando Roln, the city's police chief, smiles at the families who came out to the 9th Annual Dragon Parade on Sun, Feb. 9, 2020. Fort Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale has hired a new police chief just 19 days after the firing of former Chief Larry Scirotto. Roln received criticism from some officers over the past year for pandering to the community in response to demands for reform and failing to support and defend officers against anti-police rhetoric, an officer survey showed. Susannah Bryan can be reached at sbryan@sunsentinel.com or on Twitter @Susannah_Bryan. More , Click for details. 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. Fort Lauderdale The search for a new police chief in Fort Lauderdale hasn't turned up enough good candidates, so City Manager Chris Lagerbloom plans to try again. When sworn in as chief, Roln said he would prioritize officer wellbeing and pursue de-escalation and mass-casualty incident training for officers. Chief Scirotto brings extensive experience with a background in patrol, investigative and administrative assignments. The tactics used by a few officers to discredit the promotions of Black and minority officers with masters degrees, stellar reputations, and exemplary work history, are nothing short of appalling," Cecil Stone, the head of the Fort Lauderdale Black Police Association, previously wrote. By submitting your email to receive this newsletter, you agree to our, sworn in as the agencys 39th police chief, send mental health professionals to certain calls, initiating outside reviews of the agency by police consultants, operating under the direction of Assistant Chief Karen Dietrich, City Manager Chris Lagerbloom demoted former Chief Rick Maglione. Fort Lauderdale For nearly a year, Fort Lauderdales troubled police department has been without a permanent leader, with two different interim chiefs taking over while a national search was underway. The job pays between $116,047 and $197,300 a year. Photograph: Amy Beth. The investigation also concluded almost every witness was dissatisfied, with Scirottos approach to promotions, and most believed that Chief Scirotto made clear his intention to promote based on race, gender or sexual orientation.. Larry Scirotto, a former assistant police chief in Pittsburgh, has been tapped to lead the Fort Lauderdale Police Department. They called for racial justice in response to a grand jury decision in Louisville to charge one officer involved in the raid that killed Breonna Taylor. In February, Dietrich announced she planned to step down from the role. FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - The city of Fort Lauderdale has identified a "sole finalist" for its chief of police position. But Scirotto warned that minority groups are now being treated as less than deserving. The report said that Scirotto had responded that the context of his comment had been built around how do I convince the community that we are an inclusive and diverse organization if this wall is so white?. As for his law enforcement credentials, Scirotto was formerly the assistant police chief in Pittsburgh. OPD referred further questions to the Fort Lauderdale Police Department. 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. They are trained in Critical Incident Stress Symptoms and Management as well as Fort Lauderdale Police Policies and Procedures. The department has about 530 officers and 179 civilian employees. Starting Monday, April 4, Patrick Lynn will take over the department, announced Fort Lauderdale City Manager Chris Lagerbloom. There are things we can do better. 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. He has the respect and support of the command staff and the rank and file. Get updates on developing stories as they happen with our free breaking news email alerts. Sign up for NBC South Florida newsletters. RELATED: Fort Lauderdales interim police chief vows to reform troubled department, RELATED: Fort Lauderdale Police Chief Rick Maglione removed as officers face scrutiny over protest brutality. If promoting diversity is the hill Im going to die on, I will sleep well tonight, he said. He is the first Latino to hold the position. 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. 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. ", KY State Police Welcome Largest Cadet Class in Years. Units of the Office of the Chief of Police. Updated Fort Lauderdale Police Department at City of Fort Lauderdale 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. That sense of urgency is not lost on Lagerbloom, who met with the union last week to give them an update on the search. The departments rank and file are eager to see a new leader named, said Detective Brandon Diaz, police union president. Its an honor to be sought after by a bunch of punk thugs like you. 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. Mission Statement Fort Lauderdale officials have indicated the city could rescind promotions made on Scirottos watch. Bill Schultz; retired Miami Assistant Chief Dennis Jackson; Chief Kristen Ziman from Aurora, Ill.; Orlando Chief Orlando Rolon; and Houston Assistant Chief Heather Morris. Seven contenders are in line to lead Fort Lauderdales police department. Other units directly under the Office of the Chief are the FBI Broward County Public Corruption Task Force, the Legal Unit,Performance Analysis and the Police Departments Grants Office. 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. 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. If youre a hardcore college basketball fan and that name sounds familiar, its because Scirotto also works as an NCAA referee. Previous chief Rick Maglione was reassigned in July 2020. I think this gives the city manager more breathing room to find someone suitable to lead the department. Engle came under fire after he suggested that a Broward Sheriffs Office deputys death from COVID-19 was linked to his sexuality. [RELATED: Fort Lauderdale Police Chief Rick Maglione removed as officers face scrutiny over protest brutality]. ]. He plans to stay onboard for awhile to help with the transition, Lagerbloom 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. He seemed honest. If you want to take an organization somewhere, sometimes you have to look to the outside.. Minutes later Sheriff Mike Chitwood responded that he was OK and explained what happened. 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 Lauderdale Police Chief Rick Maglione removed as officers face scrutiny over protest brutality]. The Fort Lauderdale Police Department has been primarily operating under the direction of Assistant Chief Karen Dietrich since July, when City Manager Chris Lagerbloom demoted former Chief Rick Maglione over statements defending the agencys response to citywide protests for racial justice. 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. Dietrich, a veteran Fort Lauderdale cop who came up through the ranks, has applied for the permanent job. Det. Fort Lauderdales new chief happens to be a fitness enthusiast and collegiate basketball referee. More FLPD Seeks to Identify Man Captured on Video Near Homicide Scene Additionally, about 120 of the filled positions are recruits that have not completed training, according to the police department. Scirotto will be making the move from Dallas to Fort Lauderdale with his two American bulldogs, Charlie and Linus. 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. Larry Scirotto says he promoted minority candidates because they were exceptional not because they were minority. DeSantis spoke at an invitation-only event at an Elmhurst banquet hall - encouraging Chicago Police officers to leave Illinois and come work at departments in Florida. A city of Fort Lauderdale news release said the chief, Larry Scirotto, 48, was fired by City Manager Chris Lagerbloom on Thursday. Click for details on her case and to see how you can help. The acting police chief will be Luis Alvarez, who is currently an assistant chief. El Paso Chief Dies After 15 Years Leading Department. 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. 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. With Dietrich out as interim chief, Lagerbloom turned to former Davie Police Chief Patrick Lynn to oversee the agency while the national search was under way. Lagerbloom said it is a return to the department for Lynn, who served as Interim Chief in 2021. Police Chief Jorge Colina will walk out of the downtown Miami police headquarters for the final time on Friday. 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. 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. Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning. The investigation concluded that during his time as police chief, Scirotto implemented an approach to hiring and promotion that was unfairly focused on minority candidates. But the former police chief has said he plans to maintain his position on the issue. Chicago Police Superintendent David Brown is resigning effective March 16, Lightfoot said in a statement. Kentucky now has 899 state troopers, which is an increase of about 22% compared to their staffing level in November 2021. Hes also a masters degree candidate in Organizational Development and Leadership at Saint Josephs University. I want to have a chief of police who honors the fact that public records are public. Karen Dietrich, an assistant chief who came up through the ranks, took over as interim chief the same day Maglione was demoted. 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 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. All Rights Reserved. That appointment will likely happen in the next couple weeks, Fort Lauderdale Mayor Dean Trantalis said Monday. Roln declined to comment on the application process. NC Sheriff Provides Community Photo Evidence of Deputy Shortage. I stand with my Jewish friends, and Im honored to be on your hit list. 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. I have to be that visible leader, leading from the front, leading by example.. 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. [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. 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. 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. Please enable JavaScript in your browser for a better user experience. Copyright 2023 Local10.com is published by WPLG INC., a Berkshire Hathaway company. 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. I wont allow them to tarnish my reputation. After a year of uncertainty, putting this behind us and being able to move forward is going to be a positive for everybody on the police department, Diaz said. That was the day Lagerbloom demoted longtime chief Rick Maglione to major as protests over the police killing of George Floyd swept the nation. Starting Monday, April 4, Patrick Lynn will take over the department, announced Fort Lauderdale City Manager Chris . More , Click for details and safety tips. Luis Cabrera, deputy chief in Miami. Throughout the decades, he moved up to the rank of deputy chief in charge of the Central and Pebble Hills regional command centers. Some officers seem to revel in the return fire. Scirotto, 48, will make $200,000 a year overseeing the agencys 530 sworn officers and 179 civilians. Bill. Lagerbloom made his pick from a list of eight semi-finalists that included three internal candidates: Fort Lauderdale's Assistant Chief Frank Sousa, Maj. Dana Swisher and Capt. He then rose through the ranks retiring as the citys Deputy Chief in 2007. The new chief came to town. None of them were promoted because they were in a protected class, he said. Larry Scirotto, 48, the son of a white mother and Black father and the departments first openly gay chief, was fired last Thursday after a city report related examples such as how he had once pointed to a display of photos of the departments command staff in a conference room and said: That wall is too white and Im gonna change that.. Lagerbloom has not said just what prompted the move, but Maglione posted a public statement on July 4 defending the actions his officers took during a May 31 protest over the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Bill Schultz. 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. Christina Currie, chair of the citizens police review board, says Lagerbloom picked the right guy to bring change to the department. The Madison, WI, Police and Fire Commission voted Monday to stop requiring credit checks of prospective police officers. If you need help with the Public File, call (954) 364-2526. Fort Lauderdale Police names Patrick Lynn chief. Four who were not selected for promotion three men and one woman filed complaints with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. He followed up with an email. CurrieFriday afternoonsaid, I was really looking forward to the leadership that Chief Scirotto was going to bring." We were looking for someone who would be a collaborative leader, both with the community and the rank and file. Lagerbloom says some potential candidates are not applying out of respect for Dietrich. The Fort Lauderdale Police Department has been without a permanent leader since July 9. Robert Chabali, retired assistant chief in Dayton, Ohio. Its too important., Susannah Bryan can be reached at sbryan@sunsentinel.com or 954-356-4554 or on Twitter @Susannah_Bryan. Critics lambasted officers for firing tear gas and rubber bullets during what began as a peaceful protest. Some officers seem to revel in the return fire. 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. "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. 2. 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. The Office of the Chief is also responsible for the overall management and operation of the Support Services Bureau, the Investigations Bureau and the Operations Bureau. Theyre ready for this process to be complete, Diaz said. He also reorganized the Violent Crime Unit by combining homicide, aggravated assault and robbery investigations into a single unit to prioritize crimes against people. (Adelaide Chen) They called for racial justice in response to a grand jury decision in Louisville to charge one officer involved in the raid that killed Breonna Taylor. Karen Dietrich, 50, was chosen Thursday by Fort Lauderdale City Manager Chris Lagerbloom to lead the department as interim chief after Lagerbloom asked former chief Rick Maglione to step. CNN Sans & 2016 Cable News Network. Top 10 Police Chief CandidatesSelect the candidates name to see their resume. Scirotto has a bachelors degree in criminal justice from Ashworth University and a graduate of the Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command. News that a chief has finally been chosen was a relief to Fort Lauderdales police officers, said Detective Brandon Diaz, union president. Scirotto told CNN Saturday the report that triggered his termination from the department was vague on the facts, and was largely based on hearsay. 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 . Lagerbloom, charged with hiring the citys new top cop, also wants to name a new interim chief to level the playing field. I see it as him taking the time to make sure the right person gets hired. Many believed that Chief Scirotto made clear his intention to promote, based on race, gender, or sexual orientation," Lagerbloom said. City Manager Chris Lagerbloom, the man who will make the final decision on whom to hire, says he doesnt expect to make a pick until early next year. Chief Greg Allen joined the El Paso Police Department in 1978, starting off patrolling Central and the West Side.