A 23-year veteran with the Pittsburgh department, Scirotto retired in January 2018 and moved to Dallas two years later. He then rose through the ranks retiring as the citys Deputy Chief in 2007. 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. 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 wont allow them to tarnish my reputation. Theyre ready for this process to be complete, Diaz 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. He seemed honest. Luis Cabrera, deputy chief in Miami. 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. Starting Monday, April 4, Patrick Lynn will take over the department, announced Fort Lauderdale City Manager Chris . While I appreciate that respect, I strongly feel the playing field must be level for all candidates.. A city of Fort Lauderdale news release said the chief, Larry Scirotto, 48, was fired by City Manager Chris Lagerbloom on Thursday. Dietrich, a veteran Fort Lauderdale cop who came up through the ranks, has applied for the permanent job. 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. (Photo courtesy of City of Fort Lauderdale), its handling of downtown protests on May 31 and the aftermath. And how do I purport we have that when the entire bottom row are white men? Scirotto told WFOR. If you want to take an organization somewhere, sometimes you have to look to the outside.. All rights reserved. . Additionally, about 120 of the filled positions are recruits that have not completed training, according to the police department. Starting Monday, April 4, Patrick Lynn will take over the department, announced Fort Lauderdale City Manager Chris Lagerbloom. 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. 2023 Cable News Network. Larry Scirotto is expected to join the department in. The departments rank and file are eager to see a new leader named, said Detective Brandon Diaz, police union president. 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. 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. I believe to build trust and legitimacy in any organization, the trust is earned, he said. And I anticipate they will all step up and support the new chief.. I want them to be competent and experienced and open minded and sensitive to the diversity of our community.. 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. I have to be that visible leader, leading from the front, leading by example.. I dont want to second-guess the choice of the city manager, Trantalis said. By choosing Scirotto, Lagerbloom rejected three internal candidates who were among the semi-finalists. Career Paths A city of Fort Lauderdale news release said the chief, Larry Scirotto, 48, was fired by City Manager Chris Lagerbloom on Thursday. "We serve a very diverse community and thats important. The department attracted more than 80 applicants after launching a nationwide search last summer, Lagerbloom said. I have a vision for the department, Scirotto said at the time. 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?. 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. 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. . 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 . As for his law enforcement credentials, Scirotto was formerly the assistant police chief in Pittsburgh. The first round of applications did not measure up to the expectations of the city manager, Trantalis said. FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. The city of Fort Lauderdale has identified a sole finalist for its chief of police position. Chicago Losing Officers to Florida Agencies. [RELATED: Fort Lauderdale Police Chief Rick Maglione removed as officers face scrutiny over protest brutality]. NC Sheriff Provides Community Photo Evidence of Deputy Shortage. I stand with my Jewish friends, and Im honored to be on your hit list. 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. FLPD Seeks to Identify Man Captured on Video Near Homicide Scene, Employee Recognition-Complaint Hotline 954-828-6956. Roln has worked with the Orlando Police Department since 1992 and was sworn in as the agencys 39th police chief in 2018. 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. 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.. Larry Scirotto has been selected by the city manager to become Fort Lauderdale's next police chief. If you need help with the Public File, call (954) 364-2526. He came from a department that shared the most information on data and statistics.. Bill. 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. Did you encounter any technical issues? 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. 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. Police union chiefs were cautious. Please enable JavaScript in your browser for a better user experience. Bill Schultz; retired Miami Assistant Chief Dennis Jackson; Chief Kristen Ziman from Aurora, Ill.; Orlando Chief Orlando Rolon; and Houston Assistant Chief Heather Morris. 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. OPD referred further questions to the Fort Lauderdale Police Department. CNN Sans & 2016 Cable News Network. 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. October 9, 2019. ", KY State Police Welcome Largest Cadet Class in Years. The bottom row had several white males and one white female. Scirottos supporters expressed disappointment, saying the chief was heading towards positive changes for the department. He also reorganized the Violent Crime Unit by combining homicide, aggravated assault and robbery investigations into a single unit to prioritize crimes against people. 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 Mayor Dean Trantalis said in a tweet. Robert Chabali, retired assistant chief in Dayton, Ohio. It doesnt need fixing. Lagerbloom now has a new plan: appoint a new interim chief from outside the department who is not interested in the job. All FLPD Police Chaplains are duly ordained or licensed by a recognized religious institution with ecclesiastical authority and support. 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. Hes also a masters degree candidate in Organizational Development and Leadership at Saint Josephs University. 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. Discovery Company. 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. Critics lambasted officers for firing tear gas and rubber bullets during what began as a peaceful protest. 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. All Rights Reserved. Fort Lauderdale The search for a new police chief in Fort Lauderdale hasnt turned up enough good candidates, so City Manager Chris Lagerbloom plans to try again. Copyright 2023 Local10.com is published by WPLG INC., a Berkshire Hathaway company. 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. Fort Lauderdale Police Department at City of Fort Lauderdale Get updates on developing stories as they happen with our free breaking news email alerts. Copyright 2023 Local10.com is published by WPLG INC., a Berkshire Hathaway company. Top 10 Police Chief CandidatesSelect the candidates name to see their resume. Your effort and contribution in providing this feedback is much Police accused some protesters of throwing rocks, bricks and fireworks, arguing that warranted a strong response. He said a mix of emotions will come over him as he finishes his last week on. 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. Chief Greg Allen joined the El Paso Police Department in 1978, starting off patrolling Central and the West Side. Lagerbloom, charged with hiring the citys new top cop, also wants to name a new interim chief to level the playing field. Damned if you do, damned if you dont. Ron DeSantis was doing some of the recruitment himself on Monday. That was the day Lagerbloom demoted longtime chief Rick Maglione to major as protests over the police killing of George Floyd swept the nation. 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. Dietrich has been overseeing the agencys 530 sworn officers and 179 civilians since July 9, when Lagerbloom demoted Rick Maglione from chief to major. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel). That means Karen Dietrichs days as interim chief are numbered. Theyre ready to go, he said with a laugh. Click for details on her case and to see how you can help. 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 city manager is taking his time, Glassman said. Updated: Mar 7, 2022 / 05:51 AM EST. I would rather see him take the time and do it right. Its too important., Susannah Bryan can be reached at sbryan@sunsentinel.com or 954-356-4554 or on Twitter @Susannah_Bryan. "I think our community was really excited changing the culture of what we had experienced here in our police department.. ]. The list of semi-finalists represented a lot of talent both within and outside the department, Mayor Dean Trantalis said. Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning. Lagerbloom says some potential candidates are not applying out of respect for Dietrich. Be the first to know with email alerts on important breaking stories from the Orlando Sentinel newsroom. Kentucky now has 899 state troopers, which is an increase of about 22% compared to their staffing level in November 2021. 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. 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. It cited 21 witnesses on Scirottos hiring and promotion practices. Many believed that Chief Scirotto made clear his intention to promote, based on race, gender, or sexual orientation," Lagerbloom said. Copyright 2022 by WPLG Local10.com - All rights reserved. He has the respect and support of the command staff and the rank and file. Scirotto has a bachelors degree in criminal justice from Ashworth University and a graduate of the Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command. Protestors assemble outside Fort Lauderdale Police Department headquarters on Sept 27, 2020. Mission Statement That appointment will likely happen in the next couple weeks, Fort Lauderdale Mayor Dean Trantalis said Monday. Other candidates vying for the Fort Lauderdale position come from similar leadership roles. RELATED: Pop his ass. Bodycam videos show protesters throwing things at police. We want to really have a police department that is focused on 21st century modern policing, Lagerbloom said. The city ultimately decided to cut ties with Scirotto, who did not have a contract with the city and will not be receiving a severance, city spokesperson Stephen Gollan told CNN. 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. 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. Fort Lauderdale Police names Patrick Lynn chief. FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - Fort Lauderdale has named its new Chief of Police. By November, the city had hired a law firm to investigate complaints. Staff reporter David Harris and reporter Susannah Bryan with the South Florida Sun-Sentinel contributed to this report. 10:25 PM EST, Sat March 5, 2022. Receive the latest law enforcement in-depth information, news and products. CurrieFriday afternoonsaid, I was really looking forward to the leadership that Chief Scirotto was going to bring." This past year, he was chosen to be one of the referees to officiate in the mens NCAA Final Four in Indianapolis. Michelle Solomon, Podcast Producer/Reporter. He joined Davies police department as chief soon after where he served until 2017. 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. 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. We were looking for someone who would be a collaborative leader, both with the community and the rank and file. I dont see the delay as something negative. The Madison, WI, Police and Fire Commission voted Monday to stop requiring credit checks of prospective police officers. 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. When sworn in as chief, Roln said he would prioritize officer wellbeing and pursue de-escalation and mass-casualty incident training for officers. We must change our tactics, our strategy, our training and the way we are accountable to the public for our actions.. 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. In total, 21 witnesses, including the chief, gave a consistent narrative to investigators about Scirottos hiring and promotion practices, the report reads. (City of Fort Lauderdale/Courtesy). 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. He came in as the department was dealing with backlash from incidents during protests after George Floyds murder in Minneapolis. 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. Susannah Bryan can be reached at sbryan@sunsentinel.com or on Twitter @Susannah_Bryan. 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.. He wasnt all just talk, she said. 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. Florida Gov. He was also a member of the Tallahassee Police Department from 1988 until 2011. 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. By submitting your email to receive this newsletter, you agree to our. In Pittsburgh, Scirotto came up with strategies to reduce and solve violent crimes. The report followed several. Scirotto will be making the move from Dallas to Fort Lauderdale with his two American bulldogs, Charlie and Linus. 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.. But in the fall, things turned sour when Scirotto promoted a list of minority employees. Larry Scirotto, a former assistant chief from Pittsburgh, will be taking the helm on Aug. 16.