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. The department attracted more than 80 applicants after launching a nationwide search last summer, Lagerbloom said. Lagerbloom says some potential candidates are not applying out of respect for Dietrich. Protestors assemble outside Fort Lauderdale Police Department headquarters on Sept 27, 2020. 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. Many believed that Chief Scirotto made clear his intention to promote, based on race, gender, or sexual orientation," Lagerbloom said. If you need help with the Public File, call (954) 364-2526. FLPD Seeks to Identify Man Captured on Video Near Homicide Scene, Employee Recognition-Complaint Hotline 954-828-6956. The departments rank and file are eager to see a new leader named, said Detective Brandon Diaz, police union president. 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. 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. Seven contenders are in line to lead Fort Lauderdales police department. A list of eight semifinalists. Scirotto did not return NBC 6's requests for comment. Other candidates vying for the Fort Lauderdale position come from similar leadership roles. That means Karen Dietrichs days as interim chief are numbered. Throughout the decades, he moved up to the rank of deputy chief in charge of the Central and Pebble Hills regional command centers. Aurora Police Chief Kristen Ziman is in the running to become chief of police in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, according to Fort Lauderdale city officials. Scirotto said he has obtained legal counsel and is planning on filing a wrongful termination lawsuit against the city. 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. Theyre ready to go, he said with a laugh. Maglione lost his job as chief five days after posting a public statement defending actions his officers took during a May 31 protest over the killing of Floyd in Minneapolis. The agency is down nearly 30 deputies. As for his law enforcement credentials, Scirotto was formerly the assistant police chief in Pittsburgh. Fla. police chief Larry Scirotto fired for favoring non-white officers Copyright 2021 by WPLG Local10.com - All rights reserved. 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. 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. Chicago Losing Officers to Florida Agencies. Ex-Fort Lauderdale Police Chief Denies Promoting Based on Anything But 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. Retired cop from Pittsburgh tapped to lead Fort Lauderdale Police - MSN RELATED: Pop his ass. Bodycam videos show protesters throwing things at police. Orlando police chief withdraws candidacy for top job at Fort Lauderdale But retirement didnt last for long. /end, The city says that interim Chief Patrick Lynn will remain to assist in the transition.. The Fort Lauderdale Police Department has been without a permanent leader since July 9. He turns 63 in October of this year the mandatory retirement age for Chicago police officers. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel). 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. We must change our tactics, our strategy, our training and the way we are accountable to the public for our actions.. FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - The city of Fort Lauderdale has identified a "sole finalist" for its chief of police position. Scirotto has a bachelors degree in criminal justice from Ashworth University and a graduate of the Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command. 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.. Retiring Miami Police Chief speaks about his career - Fort Lauderdale [RELATED: Fort Lauderdale Police Chief Rick Maglione removed as officers face scrutiny over protest brutality]. Officers would be paid the salary they had when they left but wouldnt receive vacation time or any health, disability and retirement benefits. Scirotto also provided WFOR with what he said was context for his comments about the wall being too white.. 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. 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. "You came to the wrong county. Lagerbloom now has a new plan: appoint a new interim chief from outside the department who is not interested in the job. Michelle Solomon, Podcast Producer/Reporter. 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. A Warner Bros. Fort Lauderdale ex-police chief hits back after being fired over Scirotto will be making the move from Dallas to Fort Lauderdale with his two American bulldogs, Charlie and Linus. (City of Fort Lauderdale/Courtesy). He followed up with an email. But Scirotto warned that minority groups are now being treated as less than deserving. Investigates both sworn and civilian public safety candidates, vendors, and other support candidates through in-person interviews. Orlando Police chief vying for position at Fort Lauderdale Police City Manager Chris Lagerbloom has announced former Pittsburgh Assistant Chief Larry Scirotto as the sole finalist for Chief of the Fort Lauderdale Police Department. Dietrich has been in charge of the agencys 530 sworn officers and 179 civilians since July 9, when Lagerbloomdemoted Rick Maglionefrom chief to major. 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. appreciated. "I think our community was really excited changing the culture of what we had experienced here in our police department.. I have a vision for the department, Scirotto said at the time. Fort Lauderdale Police Department | Home - FLPD He is also a graduate of the Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command. The Commission said the measure was being taken in a step to increase diversity in the department. Florida police chief fired over discriminaton issues | AP News City Manager Chris Lagerbloom, who embarked on two. (Photo courtesy of City of Fort Lauderdale), its handling of downtown protests on May 31 and the aftermath. He has the respect and support of the command staff and the rank and file. "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. 7 Candidates Vying to Be Next Ft. Lauderdale Chief - POLICE Mag The bottom row had several white males and one white female. 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. Police say protesters started it all when they threw rocks, bricks and fireworks. It cited 21 witnesses on Scirottos hiring and promotion practices. It doesnt need fixing. I see it as him taking the time to make sure the right person gets hired. All rights reserved. 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 . 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 . Police Chief Jorge Colina will walk out of the downtown Miami police headquarters for the final time on Friday. 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. The hosts on Drew Gerabo Live were left speculating what was happening when they could not reach the sheriff. 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. When sworn in as chief, Roln said he would prioritize officer wellbeing and pursue de-escalation and mass-casualty incident training for officers. "We serve a very diverse community and thats important. Fort Lauderdale casting another net for new police chief 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. OPD referred further questions to the Fort Lauderdale Police Department. 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. October 9, 2019. He plans to stay onboard for awhile to help with the transition, Lagerbloom said. 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.