"I want a great relationship with people in our community who havent had access in the past," Scirotto said at the time. said attorney Christina Currie, who used to head the Fort Lauderdale Citizens Investigative Panel. Luis Cabrera, deputy chief in Miami. Officials told reporters they anticipated narrowing the list to four by mid-June. Copyright 2021 by WPLG Local10.com - All rights reserved. He is the first Latino to hold the position. We were looking for someone who would be a collaborative leader, both with the community and the rank and file. Chief Greg Allen joined the El Paso Police Department in 1978, starting off patrolling Central and the West Side. As for his law enforcement credentials, Scirotto was formerly the assistant police chief in Pittsburgh. Engle came under fire after he suggested that a Broward Sheriffs Office deputys death from COVID-19 was linked to his sexuality. Larry Scirotto, a former assistant police chief in Pittsburgh, has been tapped to lead the Fort Lauderdale Police Department. 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. Scirotto also provided WFOR with what he said was context for his comments about the wall being too white.. 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. The departments rank and file are eager to see a new leader named, said Detective Brandon Diaz, police union president. We want to really have a police department that is focused on 21st century modern policing, Lagerbloom said. 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. Chief Lynn was a stabilizing figure last year during a period of transition for this department, Lagerbloom said. 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.. Scirotto, 48, will make $200,000 a year overseeing the agencys 530 sworn officers and 179 civilians. Karen Dietrich, an assistant chief who came up through the ranks, took over as interim chief the same day Maglione was demoted. Updated I dont see the delay as something negative. 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. The department is not broken, said the union president, Brandon Diaz. Roln has worked with the Orlando Police Department since 1992 and was sworn in as the agencys 39th police chief in 2018. And were talking in conversation as it relates to our community and the expectation of a diverse and inclusive organization. The bottom row had several white males and one white female. Robert Chabali, retired assistant chief in Dayton, Ohio. Again, I go back to the fact that we support a very diverse organization," Lagerbloom said. Fort Lauderdale police fired tear gas and rubber bullets during the protest, exacerbating to a chaotic and violent scene. 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. 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. He is also a graduate of the Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command. If promoting diversity is the hill Im going to die on, I will sleep well tonight, he said. 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.. appreciated. 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. Police union chiefs were cautious. The previous chief Rick Maglione was reassigned in July. It cited 21 witnesses on Scirottos hiring and promotion practices. 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. 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. But in the fall, things turned sour when Scirotto promoted a list of minority employees. 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. 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. 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. If you need help with the Public File, call (954) 364-2526. A city of Fort Lauderdale news release said the chief, Larry Scirotto, 48, was fired by City Manager Chris Lagerbloom on Thursday. If you need help with the Public File, call (954) 364-2526. 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. He turns 63 in October of this year the mandatory retirement age for Chicago police officers. I believe weve found that.. Officer Shortage Has LAPD Asking Retirees to Come Back. 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. 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. Career Paths Bill Schultz. Critics lambasted officers for firing tear gas and rubber bullets during what began as a peaceful protest. The Madison, WI, Police and Fire Commission voted Monday to stop requiring credit checks of prospective police officers. FLPD had been criticized for its handling of downtown protests. 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. You dont know what hes going to bring, or what his vision is and how hes going to move the department forward.. 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. Larry Scirotto, a former assistant chief from Pittsburgh, will be taking the helm on Aug. 16. 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. Additionally, about 120 of the filled positions are recruits that have not completed training, according to the police department. As a leader, I will be visible and engaged with the community and the officers. A city of Fort Lauderdale news release said the chief, Larry Scirotto, 48, was fired by City Manager Chris Lagerbloom on Thursday. 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. In total, 21 witnesses, including the chief, gave a consistent narrative to investigators about Scirottos hiring and promotion practices, the report reads. El Paso Chief Dies After 15 Years Leading 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. I support his decision. Seven contenders are in line to lead Fort Lauderdales police department. 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?. Police say protesters started it all when they threw rocks, bricks and fireworks. I would rather see him take the time and do it right. But the former police chief has said he plans to maintain his position on the issue. Following 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, the city said in a statement dated March 3. 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. By submitting your email to receive this newsletter, you agree to our. The Commission said the measure was being taken in a step to increase diversity in the department. Did you encounter any technical issues? 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. Its a wait-and-see attitude, Diaz added. 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. Attorney Christina Currie used to head the Ft. Lauderdale Citizens Investigative Panel which looked into complaints against officers. Units of the Office of the Chief of Police. 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?. 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. Florida Gov. The Sun Sentinel reports the list of candidates includes Interim Chief Karen Dietrich, a veteran Fort Lauderdale officer who 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 Protestors assemble outside Fort Lauderdale Police Department headquarters on Sept 27, 2020. Three of the semifinalists named by the City of Fort Lauderdale were internal: Interim Assistant Chief Frank Sousa, Maj. Dana Swisher and Capt. Fort Lauderdale Police names Patrick Lynn chief. CNN Sans & 2016 Cable News Network. Larry Scirotto has been selected by the city manager to become Fort Lauderdale's next police chief. State police said a $15,000 salary increase for state polices sworn personnel had helped increase the number of officers in the agency. 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. I have no allegiance to anyone there, which means everyone will be measured on their own merit. A Warner Bros. Police say protesters started it all when they threw rocks, bricks and fireworks. Its too important., Susannah Bryan can be reached at sbryan@sunsentinel.com or 954-356-4554 or on Twitter @Susannah_Bryan. He said a mix of emotions will come over him as he finishes his last week on. Scirotto has a bachelors degree in criminal justice from Ashworth University and a graduate of the Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command. 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. 2. He wasnt all just talk, she said. WI Agency Ends Credit Checks for Recruits. He also reorganized the Violent Crime Unit by combining homicide, aggravated assault and robbery investigations into a single unit to prioritize crimes against people. 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. 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. Lagerbloom said it is a return to the department for Lynn, who served as Interim Chief in 2021. Orlando Police Chief Orlando Roln is in the running to become chief of police at the Fort Lauderdale Police Department, records show. (City of Fort Lauderdale/Courtesy). 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 city manager is taking his time, Glassman said. Soon after being hired, Scirotto promoted 15 officers nine were white men, six were minorities through ethnicity or gender. The hosts on Drew Gerabo Live were left speculating what was happening when they could not reach the sheriff. "We serve a very diverse community and thats important. We must change our tactics, our strategy, our training and the way we are accountable to the public for our actions.. Lagerbloom now has a new plan: appoint a new interim chief from outside the department who is not interested in the job. News that a chief has finally been chosen was a relief to Fort Lauderdales police officers, said Detective Brandon Diaz, union president. . I believe to build trust and legitimacy in any organization, the trust is earned, he said. As I see it, this is a fresh start for everybody, including the internal leadership team, he told the South Florida Sun Sentinel. 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. "I think our community was really excited changing the culture of what we had experienced here in our police department.. (Photo courtesy of City of Fort Lauderdale), its handling of downtown protests on May 31 and the aftermath. Larry Scirotto is expected to join the department in. The department has about 530 officers and 179 civilian employees. Get updates on developing stories as they happen with our free breaking news email alerts. 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. [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. [RELATED: Fort Lauderdale Police Chief Rick Maglione removed as officers face scrutiny over protest brutality]. 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. Larry Scirotto is expected to join the department in mid-August, City Manager Chris Lagerbloom announced Tuesday. Willie Dennard, captain . Scirotto said he has obtained legal counsel and is planning on filing a wrongful termination lawsuit against the city. Some officers seem to revel in the return fire. I watched George Floyd in horror like hopefully every other law enforcement professional in America did, he told the Sun Sentinel. Hes also a masters degree candidate in Organizational Development and Leadership at Saint Josephs University. All FLPD Police Chaplains are duly ordained or licensed by a recognized religious institution with ecclesiastical authority and support. In 2020, Lynn stepped into a former role as Davies police chief after Dale Engle resigned. FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) A Florida police chief has been fired after only about six months on the job following an investigation into several . The new chief came to town. Fort Lauderdale officials have indicated the city could rescind promotions made on Scirottos watch. 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.