I dont want to second-guess the choice of the city manager, Trantalis said. We want to really have a police department that is focused on 21st century modern policing, Lagerbloom said. The previous chief Rick Maglione was reassigned in July. 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. A city of Fort Lauderdale news release said the chief, Larry Scirotto, 48, was fired by City Manager Chris Lagerbloom on Thursday. I want them to be competent and experienced and open minded and sensitive to the diversity of our community.. (City of Fort Lauderdale/Courtesy). He also reorganized the Violent Crime Unit by combining homicide, aggravated assault and robbery investigations into a single unit to prioritize crimes against people. 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. Copyright 2023 Local10.com is published by WPLG INC., a Berkshire Hathaway company. FLPD Seeks to Identify Man Captured on Video Near Homicide Scene, Employee Recognition-Complaint Hotline 954-828-6956. In Pittsburgh, Scirotto came up with strategies to reduce and solve violent crimes. Throughout the decades, he moved up to the rank of deputy chief in charge of the Central and Pebble Hills regional command centers. He joined Davies police department as chief soon after where he served until 2017. Police union chiefs were cautious. I think this gives the city manager more breathing room to find someone suitable to lead the department. This past year, he was chosen to be one of the referees to officiate in the mens NCAA Final Four in Indianapolis. Protestors assemble outside Fort Lauderdale Police Department headquarters on Sept 27, 2020. 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.. By November, the city had hired a law firm to investigate complaints. FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - The city of Fort Lauderdale has identified a "sole finalist" for its chief of police position. "We serve a very diverse community and thats important. 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. Unlike the shorter police academies, future officers serve as apprentices or cadets for a two-to-three-year program involving comprehensive learning through years of field experience and classroom instruction. 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. 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 job pays between $116,047 and $197,300 a year. The department attracted more than 80 applicants after launching a nationwide search last summer, Lagerbloom said. Fort Lauderdale Police Chief Larry Scirotto has been fired for prioritizing minority candidates during the hiring process, reported CNN. But in an interview with Miamis 7News, Scirotto denied that he had made promotions based on minority-status. We must change our tactics, our strategy, our training and the way we are accountable to the public for our actions.. 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. 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. 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. Please enable JavaScript in your browser for a better user experience. I watched George Floyd in horror like hopefully every other law enforcement professional in America did, he told the Sun Sentinel. 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. 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. I have no allegiance to anyone there, which means everyone will be measured on their own merit. City Manager Chris Lagerbloom shared the news Tuesday with the departments command staff and rank and file. 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. The citys police department is now under the leadership of Acting Chief Luis Alvarez, the city said, and the selection process for a new chief is underway. That's . He came in as the department was dealing with backlash from incidents during protests after George Floyds murder in Minneapolis. 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. News that a chief has finally been chosen was a relief to Fort Lauderdales police officers, said Detective Brandon Diaz, union president. The city manager is taking his time, Glassman said. I believe to build trust and legitimacy in any organization, the trust is earned, he said. Bill Schultz. Fort Lauderdales new chief happens to be a fitness enthusiast and collegiate basketball referee. Engle came under fire after he suggested that a Broward Sheriffs Office deputys death from COVID-19 was linked to his sexuality. 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. 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. Speaking to CNN affiliate WFOR, Scirotto said the investigation was built on hearsay, and lacked testimony, transcript and audio. Many believed that Chief Scirotto made clear his intention to promote, based on race, gender, or sexual orientation," Lagerbloom said. Updated A city of Fort Lauderdale news release said the chief, Larry Scirotto, 48, was fired by City Manager Chris Lagerbloom on Thursday. By submitting your email to receive this newsletter, you agree to our. CurrieFriday afternoonsaid, I was really looking forward to the leadership that Chief Scirotto was going to bring." 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! /end, The city says that interim Chief Patrick Lynn will remain to assist in the transition.. 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. 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. Some officers seem to revel in the return fire. More , Click for details. 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. Larry Scirotto, a former assistant police chief in Pittsburgh, has been tapped to lead the Fort Lauderdale Police Department. FL Sheriff Chases After Suspect During Radio Interview. Copyright 2023 Local10.com is published by WPLG INC., a Berkshire Hathaway company. After less than a year on the job, Fort Lauderdale's top cop is being fired after an investigation into employee complaints. 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. After a summer of searching, Key Biscayne's village manager has tapped Fort Lauderdale interim Assistant Police Chief Francis "Frank" Sousa to lead the . Your effort and contribution in providing this feedback is much "You came to the wrong county. 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. 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. The list of semi-finalists represented a lot of talent both within and outside the department, Mayor Dean Trantalis said. All FLPD Police Chaplains are duly ordained or licensed by a recognized religious institution with ecclesiastical authority and support. But Scirotto warned that minority groups are now being treated as less than deserving. Click for details on her case and to see how you can help. Scirotto did not return NBC 6's requests for comment. 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. "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. As assistant chief, Scirotto was responsible for oversight of the police bureaus accreditation, policy development, labor management, internal investigations, and criminal intelligence and education. What would the optics have been on that?. 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. Police Chief Jorge Colina will walk out of the downtown Miami police headquarters for the final time on Friday. He has the respect and support of the command staff and the rank and file. 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. Dietrich has been in charge of the agencys 530 sworn officers and 179 civilians since July 9, when Lagerbloomdemoted Rick Maglionefrom chief to major. Theyre ready to go, he said with a laugh. 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 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. If I die on the hill for promoting diversity, as I was charged by the city manager to do from the day I was hired, then I will sleep well at night, he told the South Florida Sun Sentinel. Chief Scirotto brings extensive experience with a background in patrol, investigative and administrative assignments. Updated: Mar 7, 2022 / 05:51 AM EST. I stand with my Jewish friends, and Im honored to be on your hit list. Fort Lauderdale officials have indicated the city could rescind promotions made on Scirottos watch. 2. Local activists said OPDs reform under Roln has not gone far enough to address the needs of the community. Share & Bookmark, Press Enter to show all options, press Tab go to next option, Employee Recognition-Complaint Hotline 954-828-6956. The Fort Lauderdale Police Department has been without a permanent leader since July 9. 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. He spent 23 years in the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police and was the youngest assistant chief in that departments history. Glenn Sapp - Chief of Police for the Quincy Police Department since 2014, and the Assistant Chief from 2011 until then. I see it as him taking the time to make sure the right person gets hired. Det. And how do I purport we have that when the entire bottom row are white men? Scirotto told WFOR. Top 10 Police Chief CandidatesSelect the candidates name to see their resume. Get updates on developing stories as they happen with our free breaking news email alerts. Did you encounter any technical issues? Larry Scirotto has been selected by the city manager to become Fort Lauderdale's next police chief. If youre a hardcore college basketball fan and that name sounds familiar, its because Scirotto also works as an NCAA referee. More , Click for details and safety tips. He is also a graduate of the Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command. 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. . 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 investigation concluded that during his time as police chief, Scirotto implemented an approach to hiring and promotion that was unfairly focused on minority candidates. 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. 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. Robert Chabali, retired assistant chief in Dayton, Ohio. 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. As chief, Scirotto promises to bring accountability to the department and to treat everyone fairly. Chief Greg Allen joined the El Paso Police Department in 1978, starting off patrolling Central and the West Side. Fort Lauderdale police fired tear gas and rubber bullets during the protest, exacerbating to a chaotic and violent scene. By submitting your email to receive this newsletter, you agree to our. This is not a moment in time. 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. 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. Fort Lauderdale Police Department at City of Fort Lauderdale As a leader, I will be visible and engaged with the community and the officers. 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. Larry Scirotto is expected to join the department in mid-August, City Manager Chris Lagerbloom announced Tuesday. Damned if you do, damned if you dont. NBC 6's Julie Leonardi reports, Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. Get updates on developing stories as they happen with our free breaking news email alerts. "I think our community was really excited changing the culture of what we had experienced here in our police department.. 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. Copyright 2022 by WPLG Local10.com - All rights reserved. Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning. 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. 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. 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. That was the day Lagerbloom demoted longtime chief Rick Maglione to major as protests over the police killing of George Floyd swept the nation. 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. 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. He followed up with an email. He plans to stay onboard for awhile to help with the transition, Lagerbloom said. Four who were not selected for promotion three men and one woman filed complaints with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. 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. Receive the latest law enforcement in-depth information, news and products. appreciated. 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.