Larry Scirotto, a former assistant police chief in Pittsburgh, has been tapped to lead the Fort Lauderdale Police Department. I stand with my Jewish friends, and Im honored to be on your hit list. The bottom row had several white males and one white female. We must change our tactics, our strategy, our training and the way we are accountable to the public for our actions.. 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. CurrieFriday afternoonsaid, I was really looking forward to the leadership that Chief Scirotto was going to bring." I believe weve found that.. All FLPD Police Chaplains are duly ordained or licensed by a recognized religious institution with ecclesiastical authority and support. Orlando police chief withdraws candidacy for top job at Fort Lauderdale It cited 21 witnesses on Scirottos hiring and promotion practices. He turns 63 in October of this year the mandatory retirement age for Chicago police officers. 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. ", KY State Police Welcome Largest Cadet Class in Years. Lagerbloom, charged with hiring the citys new top cop, also wants to name a new interim chief to level the playing field. Four who were not selected for promotion three men and one woman filed complaints with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. This is a movement. We want to really have a police department that is focused on 21st century modern policing, Lagerbloom said. 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. [RELATED: Fort Lauderdale Police Chief Rick Maglione removed as officers face scrutiny over protest brutality]. 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. Sign up for NBC South Florida newsletters. Karen Dietrich: Meet Fort Lauderdale's new police chief By November, the city had hired a law firm to investigate complaints. 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. Soon after being hired, Scirotto promoted 15 officers nine were white men, six were minorities through ethnicity or gender. Police Chief Jorge Colina will walk out of the downtown Miami police headquarters for the final time on Friday. . He came from a department that shared the most information on data and statistics.. 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. This past year, he was chosen to be one of the referees to officiate in the mens NCAA Final Four in Indianapolis. Mission Statement He said a mix of emotions will come over him as he finishes his last week on. Orlando Police Chief Orlando Roln is in the running to become chief of police at the Fort Lauderdale Police Department, records show. The department is not broken, said the union president, Brandon Diaz. Chief Lynn was a stabilizing figure last year during a period of transition for this department, Lagerbloom said. WI Agency Ends Credit Checks for Recruits. 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. Minutes later Sheriff Mike Chitwood responded that he was OK and explained what happened. Your effort and contribution in providing this feedback is much Top 10 Police Chief CandidatesSelect the candidates name to see their resume. By submitting your email to receive this newsletter, you agree to our. 2. NBC 6's Julie Leonardi reports, Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. Share & Bookmark, Press Enter to show all options, press Tab go to next option, Employee Recognition-Complaint Hotline 954-828-6956. The department attracted more than 80 applicants after launching a nationwide search last summer, Lagerbloom said. And I anticipate they will all step up and support the new chief.. Scirotto has a bachelors degree in criminal justice from Ashworth University and a graduate of the Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command. . Ex-Fort Lauderdale Police Chief Denies Promoting Based on Anything But 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. FLPD had been criticized for its handling of downtown protests on May 31 and the aftermath, but Lagerbloom said at the time that there wasnt one event that led to the change. Larry Scirotto, a former assistant chief from Pittsburgh, will be taking the helm on Aug. 16. 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. 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 . 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. Photograph: Amy Beth. 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. Its a wait-and-see attitude, Diaz added. 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. 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. 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.. As for his law enforcement credentials, Scirotto was formerly the assistant police chief in Pittsburgh. The previous chief Rick Maglione was reassigned in July. Theyre ready to go, he said with a laugh. Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning. But in the fall, things turned sour when Scirotto promoted a list of minority employees. I dont see the delay as something negative. City Manager Chris Lagerbloom shared the news Tuesday with the departments command staff and rank and file. Speaking to CNN affiliate WFOR, Scirotto said the investigation was built on hearsay, and lacked testimony, transcript and audio. 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. We wanted someone who can shepherd this department into a new era of policing, build trust and keep the needs of our diverse community at the forefront. 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. 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. 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. 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.. 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 choosing Scirotto, Lagerbloom rejected three internal candidates who were among the semi-finalists. I dont want to second-guess the choice of the city manager, Trantalis said. 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. 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. As of last month, it employed 690 officers out of an authorized strength of 939, leaving more than a quarter of sworn officer positions vacant. He joined Davies police department as chief soon after where he served until 2017. 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. NC Sheriff Provides Community Photo Evidence of Deputy Shortage. 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. Scirottos supporters expressed disappointment, saying the chief was heading towards positive changes for the department. That's . Larry Scirotto has been selected by the city manager to become Fort Lauderdale's next police chief. The list of semi-finalists represented a lot of talent both within and outside the department, Mayor Dean Trantalis said. 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. Updated: Mar 7, 2022 / 05:51 AM EST. The new chief came to town. 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. 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. Michelle Solomon, Podcast Producer/Reporter. Key Biscayne taps Fort Lauderdale interim assistant chief to lead Investigates both sworn and civilian public safety candidates, vendors, and other support candidates through in-person interviews. He is the first Latino to hold the position. 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.. Fort Lauderdale hires new police chief college hoops fans may - WPLG Orlando police chief seeks to fill bigger role in South Florida - WESH None of them were promoted because they were in a protected class, he said. City Manager Chris Lagerbloom, who embarked on two. Bill. Damned if you do, damned if you dont. He wasnt all just talk, she said. Lagerbloom now has a new plan: appoint a new interim chief from outside the department who is not interested in the job. Retiring Miami Police Chief speaks about his career - Fort Lauderdale 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. Provide a safe and orderly environment in our city through professionalism, dedication, an active partnership with the community and concern for individual dignity. Fort Lauderdale ex-police chief hits back after being fired over Chicago Police Superintendent David Brown is resigning effective March 16, Lightfoot said in a statement. Christina Currie, chair of the citizens police review board, says Lagerbloom picked the right guy to bring change to the department. Fort Lauderdale names new police chief after tumultuous 2 years - WPLG 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. We were looking for someone who would be a collaborative leader, both with the community and the rank and file. I reached out and asked if hed be willing to come out of retirement, and thankfully, he said yes. Fort Lauderdale Police names Patrick Lynn chief. 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. The report followed several. News that a chief has finally been chosen was a relief to Fort Lauderdales police officers, said Detective Brandon Diaz, union president. Florida Police Chief Fired for Exclusively Hiring Candidates of Color 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?. 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. Engle came under fire after he suggested that a Broward Sheriffs Office deputys death from COVID-19 was linked to his sexuality. 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 police chief fired over minority-first practices in I would rather see him take the time and do it right. Fort Lauderdale policefired tear gasand rubber bullets, contributing to a chaotic and violent scene. This is not a moment in time. 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.. In February, Dietrich announced she planned to step down from the role. The agency is down nearly 30 deputies. They were promoted because they were the best candidates.. 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. In total, 21 witnesses, including the chief, gave a consistent narrative to investigators about Scirottos hiring and promotion practices, the report reads. The city manager is taking his time, Glassman said. Get updates on developing stories as they happen with our free breaking news email alerts. I want to have a chief of police who honors the fact that public records are public. He plans to stay onboard for awhile to help with the transition, Lagerbloom said. Fort Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale has hired a new police chief just 19 days after the firing of former Chief Larry Scirotto. Chief Greg Allen joined the El Paso Police Department in 1978, starting off patrolling Central and the West Side. City News | City of Fort Lauderdale, FL If youre a hardcore college basketball fan and that name sounds familiar, its because Scirotto also works as an NCAA referee. I watched George Floyd in horror like hopefully every other law enforcement professional in America did, he told the Sun Sentinel. Did you encounter any technical issues? 10:25 PM EST, Sat March 5, 2022. City Manager Chris Lagerbloom has announced former Pittsburgh Assistant Chief Larry Scirotto as the sole finalist for Chief of the Fort Lauderdale Police Department. (City of Fort Lauderdale/Courtesy). 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. But Scirotto warned that minority groups are now being treated as less than deserving. 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. Copyright 2023 Local10.com is published by WPLG INC., a Berkshire Hathaway company. 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.
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