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.. . Bill. Office of the Chief | Fort Lauderdale Police Department Font Size: About FLPD Office of the Chief Units of the Office of the Chief of Police The Media Relations Unit, Staff Inspections/ Accreditation Unit, and the Office of Internal Affairs are the three main components of the Office of the Chief. He spent 23 years in the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police and was the youngest assistant chief in that departments history. Critics lambasted officers for firing tear gas and rubber bullets during what began as a peaceful protest. 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. Fort Lauderdale policefired tear gasand rubber bullets, contributing to a chaotic and violent scene. 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. 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. Bill Schultz. "I want a great relationship with people in our community who havent had access in the past," Scirotto said at the time. 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. Scirotto, 48, will make $200,000 a year overseeing the agencys 530 sworn officers and 179 civilians. The department attracted more than 80 applicants after launching a nationwide search last summer, Lagerbloom said. 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. The hosts on Drew Gerabo Live were left speculating what was happening when they could not reach the sheriff. FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - Fort Lauderdale has named its new Chief of Police. 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. A city of Fort Lauderdale news release said the chief, Larry Scirotto, 48, was fired by City Manager Chris Lagerbloom on Thursday. Please enable JavaScript in your browser for a better user experience. I have no allegiance to anyone there, which means everyone will be measured on their own merit. FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - The city of Fort Lauderdale has identified a "sole finalist" for its chief of police position. [RELATED: Fort Lauderdale Police Chief Rick Maglione removed as officers face scrutiny over protest brutality]. The Madison, WI, Police and Fire Commission voted Monday to stop requiring credit checks of prospective police officers. 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. Provide a safe and orderly environment in our city through professionalism, dedication, an active partnership with the community and concern for individual dignity. All FLPD Police Chaplains are duly ordained or licensed by a recognized religious institution with ecclesiastical authority and support. He is the first Latino to hold the position. Scirotto has a bachelors degree in criminal justice from Ashworth University and a graduate of the Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command. In February, Dietrich announced she planned to step down from the role. In total, 21 witnesses, including the chief, gave a consistent narrative to investigators about Scirottos hiring and promotion practices, the report reads. 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. 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. This past year, he was chosen to be one of the referees to officiate in the mens NCAA Final Four in Indianapolis. said attorney Christina Currie, who used to head the Fort Lauderdale Citizens Investigative Panel. Atlanta-Area Agency Facing Critical Officer Shortage. The department has about 530 officers and 179 civilian employees. The agency is down nearly 30 deputies. The report followed several. Three of the semifinalists named by the City of Fort Lauderdale were internal: Interim Assistant Chief Frank Sousa, Maj. Dana Swisher and Capt. Copyright 2023 Local10.com is published by WPLG INC., a Berkshire Hathaway company. Share & Bookmark, Press Enter to show all options, press Tab go to next option, Employee Recognition-Complaint Hotline 954-828-6956. Top 10 Police Chief CandidatesSelect the candidates name to see their resume. (Photo courtesy of City of Fort Lauderdale), its handling of downtown protests on May 31 and the aftermath. 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. 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. Fort Lauderdale Police Department. They were promoted because they were the best candidates.. By choosing Scirotto, Lagerbloom rejected three internal candidates who were among the semi-finalists. Among reforms Scirotto planned was to create a multi-cultural liaison unit to expand officers roles as liaisons to key groups that have traditionally been marginalized and undeserved. The first round of applications did not measure up to the expectations of the city manager, Trantalis said. 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.. More , Click for details. But in the fall, things turned sour when Scirotto promoted a list of minority employees. Soon after being hired, Scirotto promoted 15 officers nine were white men, six were minorities through ethnicity or gender. He wasnt all just talk, she said. Lagerbloom said it is a return to the department for Lynn, who served as Interim Chief in 2021. 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. Theyre ready to go, he said with a laugh. 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. "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. Larry Scirotto is expected to join the department in. I reached out and asked if hed be willing to come out of retirement, and thankfully, he said yes. If you need help with the Public File, call (954) 364-2526. Dietrich has been overseeing the agencys 530 sworn officers and 179 civilians since July 9, when Lagerbloom demoted Rick Maglione from chief to major. If you need help with the Public File, call (954) 364-2526. 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. Bill Schultz; retired Miami Assistant Chief Dennis Jackson; Chief Kristen Ziman from Aurora, Ill.; Orlando Chief Orlando Rolon; and Houston Assistant Chief Heather Morris. Receive the latest law enforcement in-depth information, news and products. 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. I wont allow them to tarnish my reputation. Karen Dietrich, an assistant chief who came up through the ranks, took over as interim chief the same day Maglione was demoted. That's . 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. 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. 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. Attorney Christina Currie used to head the Ft. Lauderdale Citizens Investigative Panel which looked into complaints against officers. As chief, Scirotto promises to bring accountability to the department and to treat everyone fairly. Seven contenders are in line to lead Fort Lauderdales police department. 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. Orlando Police Chief Orlando Roln is in the running to become chief of police at the Fort Lauderdale Police Department, records show. FL Sheriff Chases After Suspect During Radio Interview. Scirotto will be making the move from Dallas to Fort Lauderdale with his two American bulldogs, Charlie and Linus. City Manager Chris Lagerbloom has announced former Pittsburgh Assistant Chief Larry Scirotto as the sole finalist for Chief of the Fort Lauderdale Police Department. He joined Davies police department as chief soon after where he served until 2017. 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. But in an interview with Miamis 7News, Scirotto denied that he had made promotions based on minority-status. Again, I go back to the fact that we support a very diverse organization," Lagerbloom said. Aurora Police Chief Kristen Ziman is in the running to become chief of police in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, according to Fort Lauderdale city officials. Luis Cabrera, deputy chief in Miami. 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. FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) A Florida police chief has been fired after only about six months on the job following an investigation into several . You dont know what hes going to bring, or what his vision is and how hes going to move the department forward.. There are just certain ways that you can do that and do it legally, and other ways that meet that muster.. "I think our community was really excited changing the culture of what we had experienced here in our police department.. Lagerbloom, charged with hiring the citys new top cop, also wants to name a new interim chief to level the playing field. By November, the city had hired a law firm to investigate complaints. Glenn Sapp - Chief of Police for the Quincy Police Department since 2014, and the Assistant Chief from 2011 until then. 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. 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. Get updates on developing stories as they happen with our free breaking news email alerts. NBC 6's Julie Leonardi reports, Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. 2023 Cable News Network. The fact that hes an external candidate leaves some unknowns. Damned if you do, damned if you dont. The list of candidates includes Interim Chief Karen Dietrich, a veteran Fort Lauderdale cop who came up through the ranks; Craig Capri, former chief in Daytona Beach; Todd Chamberlain, a. This is not a moment in time. Investigates both sworn and civilian public safety candidates, vendors, and other support candidates through in-person interviews. Its an honor to be sought after by a bunch of punk thugs like you. 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. I think this gives the city manager more breathing room to find someone suitable to lead the department. Many believed that Chief Scirotto made clear his intention to promote, based on race, gender, or sexual orientation," Lagerbloom said. OPD referred further questions to the Fort Lauderdale Police Department. 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. 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. 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. They are trained in Critical Incident Stress Symptoms and Management as well as Fort Lauderdale Police Policies and Procedures. He said a mix of emotions will come over him as he finishes his last week on. When sworn in as chief, Roln said he would prioritize officer wellbeing and pursue de-escalation and mass-casualty incident training for officers. 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! He came in as the department was dealing with backlash from incidents during protests after George Floyds murder in Minneapolis. 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. Speaking to CNN affiliate WFOR, Scirotto said the investigation was built on hearsay, and lacked testimony, transcript and audio. The Media Relations Unit, Staff Inspections/ Accreditation Unit, and the Office of Internal Affairs are the three main components of the Office of the Chief. Lagerbloom says he made his choice partly based on the positive feedback Scirotto got from both police and the community including religious leaders, NAACP officials and Fort Lauderdales citizens police review board. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel). ]. Michelle Solomon, Podcast Producer/Reporter. Protestors assemble outside Fort Lauderdale Police Department headquarters on Sept 27, 2020. 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. RELATED: Fort Lauderdale Police Chief Rick Maglione removed as officers face scrutiny over protest brutality. Engle came under fire after he suggested that a Broward Sheriffs Office deputys death from COVID-19 was linked to his sexuality. The Fort Lauderdale Police Department offers one of the highest starting salaries in Florida ($67,620.80-$104,395.20) and a great retirement structure, great health benefits and a slew of other incentives such as paid time off and department-issued uniforms and equipment. Scirotto did not return NBC 6's requests for comment. He turns 63 in October of this year the mandatory retirement age for Chicago police officers. Christina Currie, chair of the citizens police review board, says Lagerbloom picked the right guy to bring change to the department. 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. appreciated. Its a wait-and-see attitude, Diaz added. RELATED: Pop his ass. Bodycam videos show protesters throwing things at police. The report said Scirotto once pointed to a conference room wall displaying photos of the departments command staff and stated, that wall is too white, and Im gonna change that.. 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. Lagerbloom now has a new plan: appoint a new interim chief from outside the department who is not interested in the job. I have to be that visible leader, leading from the front, leading by example.. Chicago Police Superintendent David Brown is resigning effective March 16, Lightfoot said in a statement. 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. Lynn becomes the top cop after the firing earlier this month of Larry Scirotto after just over six months of leading the Fort Lauderdale Police Department after a workplace discrimination complaint. He came from a department that shared the most information on data and statistics.. 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. . 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. Units of the Office of the Chief of Police. Glassman says hes glad to see the city manager is not in a rush to name a new chief. Your effort and contribution in providing this feedback is much FLPD Seeks to Identify Man Captured on Video Near Homicide Scene, Employee Recognition-Complaint Hotline 954-828-6956. More FLPD Seeks to Identify Man Captured on Video Near Homicide Scene As a leader, I will be visible and engaged with the community and the officers. 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. Scirotto told CNN Saturday the report that triggered his termination from the department was vague on the facts, and was largely based on hearsay. The report concluded that most believed that Chief Scirotto made clear his intention to promote based on race, gender or sexual orientation and that almost every witness was dissatisfied with Scirottos approach to promotions. Fort Lauderdale officials have indicated the city could rescind promotions made on Scirottos watch. A list of eight semifinalists for the open chief position provided by the City of Fort Lauderdale lists Roln among its candidates, and Orlando Police Department spokesperson Autumn Jones confirmed Thursday that Roln is in a selection process for the position. We want to really have a police department that is focused on 21st century modern policing, Lagerbloom said. Career Paths Susannah Bryan can be reached at sbryan@sunsentinel.com or on Twitter @Susannah_Bryan. The bottom row had several white males and one white female. He was also a member of the Tallahassee Police Department from 1988 until 2011. Updated Minutes later Sheriff Mike Chitwood responded that he was OK and explained what happened. Roln declined to comment on the application process. Some officers seem to revel in the return fire. 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. If promoting diversity is the hill Im going to die on, I will sleep well tonight, he said. 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. Police Chief Jorge Colina will walk out of the downtown Miami police headquarters for the final time on Friday. Four officers three white and one Hispanic filed EEOC complaints alleging that the chief was promoting unfairly. Photograph: Amy Beth. El Paso Chief Dies After 15 Years Leading Department. Chief Lynn was a stabilizing figure last year during a period of transition for this department, Lagerbloom said. "You came to the wrong county. The investigation into the bias complaints noted that Scirotto once said a conference room wall of photos was "too white and said, Im gonna change that., Another time, when considering a promotion, the investigation found that Scirotto said which one is blacker? The report quoted Scirotto as saying he intended to "consider diversity at every opportunity., Theres everything we have to do in the proper way. Did you encounter any technical issues? The city manager is taking his time, Glassman said. (City of Fort Lauderdale/Courtesy). Chief Scirotto brings extensive experience with a background in patrol, investigative and administrative assignments. He followed up with an email. It cited 21 witnesses on Scirottos hiring and promotion practices. 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. 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. Larry Scirotto says he promoted minority candidates because they were exceptional not because they were minority. By submitting your email to receive this newsletter, you agree to our. State police said a $15,000 salary increase for state polices sworn personnel had helped increase the number of officers in the agency. I want them to be competent and experienced and open minded and sensitive to the diversity of our community.. Sheriff Thorntonposted a photo on Facebook of at least 17 unused patrol cars. Police accused some protesters of throwing rocks, bricks and fireworks, arguing that warranted a strong response. In response to calls for racial justice and police reform over the past year, Roln helped usher in changes at OPD, including banning chokeholds and no-knock warrants, starting a pilot program to send mental health professionals to certain calls and initiating outside reviews of the agency by police consultants to assist with community engagement. WI Agency Ends Credit Checks for Recruits. Its too important., Susannah Bryan can be reached at sbryan@sunsentinel.com or 954-356-4554 or on Twitter @Susannah_Bryan. But the former police chief has said he plans to maintain his position on the issue. And how do I purport we have that when the entire bottom row are white men? Scirotto told WFOR. 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. Police say protesters started it all when they threw rocks, bricks and fireworks. Officers would be paid the salary they had when they left but wouldnt receive vacation time or any health, disability and retirement benefits. 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. Dietrich has been in charge of the agencys 530 sworn officers and 179 civilians since July 9, when Lagerbloomdemoted Rick Maglionefrom chief to major. Updated: Mar 7, 2022 / 05:51 AM EST. Fort Lauderdales new chief happens to be a fitness enthusiast and collegiate basketball referee. None of them were promoted because they were in a protected class, he said. He has the respect and support of the command staff and the rank and file. 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 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. Scirotto said he has obtained legal counsel and is planning on filing a wrongful termination lawsuit against the city. 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.