The agency is down nearly 30 deputies. NBC 6's Julie Leonardi reports, Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. Fort Lauderdale policefired tear gasand rubber bullets, contributing to a chaotic and violent scene. 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. As I see it, this is a fresh start for everybody, including the internal leadership team, he told the South Florida Sun Sentinel. Officials told reporters they anticipated narrowing the list to four by mid-June. 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. The list of semi-finalists represented a lot of talent both within and outside the department, Mayor Dean Trantalis said. ]. A 23-year veteran with the Pittsburgh department, Scirotto retired in January 2018 and moved to Dallas two years later. 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. Please enable JavaScript in your browser for a better user experience. 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. Lagerbloom, charged with hiring the citys new top cop, also wants to name a new interim chief to level the playing field. Chief Lynn was a stabilizing figure last year during a period of transition for this department, Lagerbloom said. By choosing Scirotto, Lagerbloom rejected three internal candidates who were among the semi-finalists. 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. Protestors assemble outside Fort Lauderdale Police Department headquarters on Sept 27, 2020. If promoting diversity is the hill Im going to die on, I will sleep well tonight, he said. October 9, 2019. I stand with my Jewish friends, and Im honored to be on your hit list. That means Karen Dietrichs days as interim chief are numbered. Previous chief Rick Maglione was reassigned in July 2020. More FLPD Seeks to Identify Man Captured on Video Near Homicide Scene CNN Sans & 2016 Cable News Network. 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?. If you want to take an organization somewhere, sometimes you have to look to the outside.. He is the first Latino to hold the position. It doesnt need fixing. 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. You dont know what hes going to bring, or what his vision is and how hes going to move the department forward.. But the former police chief has said he plans to maintain his position on the issue. He said a mix of emotions will come over him as he finishes his last week on. Scirotto told CNN Saturday the report that triggered his termination from the department was vague on the facts, and was largely based on hearsay. I believe to build trust and legitimacy in any organization, the trust is earned, he said. 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.. Additionally, about 120 of the filled positions are recruits that have not completed training, according to the police department. In February, Dietrich announced she planned to step down from the role. 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. He then rose through the ranks retiring as the citys Deputy Chief in 2007. 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. Your effort and contribution in providing this feedback is much Scirotto did not return NBC 6's requests for comment. I dont want to second-guess the choice of the city manager, Trantalis said. By November, the city had hired a law firm to investigate complaints. Christina Currie, chair of the citizens police review board, says Lagerbloom picked the right guy to bring change to the department. What would the optics have been on that?. The Fort Lauderdale Police Department has been without a permanent leader since July 9. 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.. But in an interview with Miamis 7News, Scirotto denied that he had made promotions based on minority-status. Maglione had been chief since 2016. They were promoted because they were the best candidates.. Fort Lauderdale Police Chief Larry Scirotto has been fired for prioritizing minority candidates during the hiring process, reported CNN. 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. 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. City Manager Chris Lagerbloom, who embarked on two. FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - Fort Lauderdale has named its new Chief of Police. FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) A Florida police chief has been fired after only about six months on the job following an investigation into several . Four who were not selected for promotion three men and one woman filed complaints with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Larry Scirotto says he promoted minority candidates because they were exceptional not because they were minority. As for his law enforcement credentials, Scirotto was formerly the assistant police chief in Pittsburgh. Glenn Sapp - Chief of Police for the Quincy Police Department since 2014, and the Assistant Chief from 2011 until then. Receive the latest law enforcement in-depth information, news and products. 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?. Seven contenders are in line to lead Fort Lauderdales police department. The hosts on Drew Gerabo Live were left speculating what was happening when they could not reach the sheriff. Chief Scirotto brings extensive experience with a background in patrol, investigative and administrative assignments. In Pittsburgh, Scirotto came up with strategies to reduce and solve violent crimes. We were looking for someone who would be a collaborative leader, both with the community and the rank and file. Get updates on developing stories as they happen with our free breaking news email alerts. appreciated. 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. But retirement didnt last for long. I support his decision. Updated In Fort Lauderdale, he beat out dozens of applicants including three internal candidates to step into the role of chief, a job that comes with a $200,000 salary and a $140 million budget . 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. 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. 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. Willie Dennard, captain . Copyright 2023 Local10.com is published by WPLG INC., a Berkshire Hathaway company. This is a movement. Michelle Solomon, Podcast Producer/Reporter. Career Paths He is also a graduate of the Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command. (Adelaide Chen) Fort Lauderdale Police Department | Home Home News Sitemap Contact Us Employee Recognition-Complaint Hotline 954-828-6956 RSS Home About FLPD News Community Solve Crimes Employment FAQs Help Us Find Sophie Reeder Click for details on her case and to see how you can help. I have no allegiance to anyone there, which means everyone will be measured on their own merit. Dietrich, a veteran Fort Lauderdale cop who came up through the ranks, has applied for the permanent job. 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 . Fort Lauderdale Police names Patrick Lynn chief. Karen Dietrich, an assistant chief who came up through the ranks, took over as interim chief the same day Maglione was demoted. Critics lambasted officers for firing tear gas and rubber bullets during what began as a peaceful protest. I have a vision for the department, Scirotto said at the time. This is not a moment in time. He has the respect and support of the command staff and the rank and file. He seemed honest. Protestors assemble outside Fort Lauderdale Police Department headquarters on Sept 27, 2020. As chief, Scirotto promises to bring accountability to the department and to treat everyone fairly. I would rather see him take the time and do it right. Fort Lauderdale police fired tear gas and rubber bullets during the protest, exacerbating to a chaotic and violent scene. 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 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. The Commission said the measure was being taken in a step to increase diversity in the department. I dont see the delay as something negative. Updated: Mar 7, 2022 / 05:51 AM EST. 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. I think this gives the city manager more breathing room to find someone suitable to lead the department. 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. 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. 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.. Officers would be paid the salary they had when they left but wouldnt receive vacation time or any health, disability and retirement benefits. Chicago Police Superintendent David Brown is resigning effective March 16, Lightfoot said in a statement. [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. 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. Fort Lauderdale Police Department. Hes also a masters degree candidate in Organizational Development and Leadership at Saint Josephs University. Three of the semifinalists named by the City of Fort Lauderdale were internal: Interim Assistant Chief Frank Sousa, Maj. Dana Swisher and Capt. Starting Monday, April 4, Patrick Lynn will take over the department, announced Fort Lauderdale City Manager Chris Lagerbloom. 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. And I anticipate they will all step up and support the new chief.. 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.. Its too important., Susannah Bryan can be reached at sbryan@sunsentinel.com or 954-356-4554 or on Twitter @Susannah_Bryan. Lagerbloom says some potential candidates are not applying out of respect for Dietrich. 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. 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. 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. The previous chief Rick Maglione was reassigned in July. 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. Damned if you do, damned if you dont. State police said a $15,000 salary increase for state polices sworn personnel had helped increase the number of officers in the agency. ", KY State Police Welcome Largest Cadet Class in Years. Glassman says hes glad to see the city manager is not in a rush to name a new chief. A city of Fort Lauderdale news release said the chief, Larry Scirotto, 48, was fired by City Manager Chris Lagerbloom on Thursday. 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. . 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. City Manager Chris Lagerbloom has announced former Pittsburgh Assistant Chief Larry Scirotto as the sole finalist for Chief of the Fort Lauderdale Police Department. [RELATED: Fort Lauderdale Police Chief Rick Maglione removed as officers face scrutiny over protest brutality]. Kentucky now has 899 state troopers, which is an increase of about 22% compared to their staffing level in November 2021. Fort Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale has hired a new police chief just 19 days after the firing of former Chief Larry Scirotto. Fort Lauderdale officials have indicated the city could rescind promotions made on Scirottos watch. Some officers seem to revel in the return fire. Ron DeSantis was doing some of the recruitment himself on Monday. 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. 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, a former assistant police chief in Pittsburgh, has been tapped to lead the Fort Lauderdale Police Department. Its an honor to be sought after by a bunch of punk thugs like you. 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. 2023 Cable News Network. 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. As assistant chief, Scirotto was responsible for oversight of the police bureaus accreditation, policy development, labor management, internal investigations, and criminal intelligence and education. When sworn in as chief, Roln said he would prioritize officer wellbeing and pursue de-escalation and mass-casualty incident training for officers. 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. /end, The city says that interim Chief Patrick Lynn will remain to assist in the transition.. Share & Bookmark, Press Enter to show all options, press Tab go to next option, Employee Recognition-Complaint Hotline 954-828-6956. RELATED: Fort Lauderdale Police Chief Rick Maglione removed as officers face scrutiny over protest brutality. Other candidates vying for the Fort Lauderdale position come from similar leadership roles. I believe weve found that.. He plans to stay onboard for awhile to help with the transition, Lagerbloom said. Did you encounter any technical issues? 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. 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. During the search, we learned that there might be several additional candidates who were interested in the position but chose not to apply out of respect for the interim chief.
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