He turns 63 in October of this year the mandatory retirement age for Chicago police officers. Damned if you do, damned if you dont. NBC 6's Julie Leonardi reports, Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. 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. 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. I see it as him taking the time to make sure the right person gets hired. When sworn in as chief, Roln said he would prioritize officer wellbeing and pursue de-escalation and mass-casualty incident training for officers. Fort Lauderdale ex-police chief hits back after being fired over The report followed several. 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 Police accused some protesters of throwing rocks, bricks and fireworks, arguing that warranted a strong response. 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. 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. He seemed honest. 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. Florida Gov. 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. 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. Bill Schultz. It doesnt need fixing. I think this gives the city manager more breathing room to find someone suitable to lead the department. But the former police chief has said he plans to maintain his position on the issue. 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. 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. Key Biscayne taps Fort Lauderdale interim assistant chief to lead And how do I purport we have that when the entire bottom row are white men? Scirotto told WFOR. If you need help with the Public File, call (954) 364-2526. 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. I reached out and asked if hed be willing to come out of retirement, and thankfully, he said yes. Glassman says hes glad to see the city manager is not in a rush to name a new chief. ]. Dietrich, a veteran Fort Lauderdale cop who came up through the ranks, has applied for the permanent job. Get updates on developing stories as they happen with our free breaking news email alerts. Office of the Chief | Fort Lauderdale Police Department - FLPD There are just certain ways that you can do that and do it legally, and other ways that meet that muster.. (Adelaide Chen) 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. Police say protesters started it all when they threw rocks, bricks and fireworks. 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. 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. Scirottos supporters expressed disappointment, saying the chief was heading towards positive changes for the department. Thats not the case, and it never was. He told CNN the report that triggered his termination from the department was vague on the facts. Fort Lauderdale names new police chief after tumultuous 2 years - WPLG 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. More , Click for details. Other candidates vying for the Fort Lauderdale position come from similar leadership roles. More , Click for details and safety tips. Throughout the decades, he moved up to the rank of deputy chief in charge of the Central and Pebble Hills regional command centers. FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. The city of Fort Lauderdale has identified a sole finalist for its chief of police position. 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. October 9, 2019. Bill Schultz; retired Miami Assistant Chief Dennis Jackson; Chief Kristen Ziman from Aurora, Ill.; Orlando Chief Orlando Rolon; and Houston Assistant Chief Heather Morris. Updated The city manager is taking his time, Glassman said. What would the optics have been on that?. I wont allow them to tarnish my reputation. Retiring Miami Police Chief speaks about his career - Fort Lauderdale 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?. Critics lambasted officers for firing tear gas and rubber bullets during what began as a peaceful protest. I support his decision. 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! This is not a moment in time. 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. He spent 23 years in the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police and was the youngest assistant chief in that departments history. None of them were promoted because they were in a protected class, he said. Dietrich has been in charge of the agencys 530 sworn officers and 179 civilians since July 9, when Lagerbloomdemoted Rick Maglionefrom chief to major. A Warner Bros. Roln has worked with the Orlando Police Department since 1992 and was sworn in as the agencys 39th police chief in 2018. Fort Lauderdale Police Department. Fort Lauderdale police chief fired over minority-first practices in Four officers three white and one Hispanic filed EEOC complaints alleging that the chief was promoting unfairly. Please enable JavaScript in your browser for a better user experience. The first round of applications did not measure up to the expectations of the city manager, Trantalis said. Police union chiefs were cautious. Luis Cabrera, deputy chief in Miami. Lagerbloom said it is a return to the department for Lynn, who served as Interim Chief in 2021. 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.. 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. 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 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. 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. Its a wait-and-see attitude, Diaz added. The department has about 530 officers and 179 civilian employees. Investigates both sworn and civilian public safety candidates, vendors, and other support candidates through in-person interviews. Copyright 2022 by WPLG Local10.com - All rights reserved. Lagerbloom,. 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 want to have a chief of police who honors the fact that public records are public. Theyre ready for this process to be complete, Diaz said. The Fort Lauderdale Police Department has been without a permanent leader since July 9. A list of eight semifinalists. All rights reserved. Officer Shortage Has LAPD Asking Retirees to Come Back. Scirotto has a bachelors degree in criminal justice from Ashworth University and a graduate of the Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command. Robert Chabali, retired assistant chief in Dayton, Ohio. Susannah Bryan can be reached at sbryan@sunsentinel.com or on Twitter @Susannah_Bryan. And were talking in conversation as it relates to our community and the expectation of a diverse and inclusive organization. Kentucky now has 899 state troopers, which is an increase of about 22% compared to their staffing level in November 2021. Fort Lauderdales now-former police chief has hit back at officials in the Florida city who fired him after just six months on the job, accusing him of focusing too heavily on a diversity policy in hiring and promotion. As a leader, I will be visible and engaged with the community and the officers. Provide a safe and orderly environment in our city through professionalism, dedication, an active partnership with the community and concern for individual dignity. Copyright 2023 Local10.com is published by WPLG INC., a Berkshire Hathaway company. Christina Currie, chair of the citizens police review board, says Lagerbloom picked the right guy to bring change to the department. [RELATED: Fort Lauderdale Police Chief Rick Maglione removed as officers face scrutiny over protest brutality]. Former Fort Lauderdale Police Chief Larry Scirotto is seen in this file photo from the Fort Lauderdale Police Dept. 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.. Lagerbloom now has a new plan: appoint a new interim chief from outside the department who is not interested in the job. 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. Officers would be paid the salary they had when they left but wouldnt receive vacation time or any health, disability and retirement benefits. Copyright 2023 Local10.com is published by WPLG INC., a Berkshire Hathaway company. FL Sheriff Chases After Suspect During Radio Interview. The job pays between $116,047 and $197,300 a year. Fort Lauderdale Interim Police Chief Stepping Down As Agency - WLRN 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 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. 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.. 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. Starting Monday, April 4, Patrick Lynn will take over the department, announced Fort Lauderdale City Manager Chris Lagerbloom. Lagerbloom, charged with hiring the citys new top cop, also wants to name a new interim chief to level the playing field. FLPD had been criticized for its handling of downtown protests. Aurora Police Chief Kristen Ziman is in the running to become chief of police in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, according to Fort Lauderdale city officials. I have to be that visible leader, leading from the front, leading by example.. As assistant chief, Scirotto was responsible for oversight of the police bureaus accreditation, policy development, labor management, internal investigations, and criminal intelligence and education. Fort Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale has hired a new police chief just 19 days after the firing of former Chief Larry Scirotto. Staff reporter David Harris and reporter Susannah Bryan with the South Florida Sun-Sentinel contributed to this report. I watched George Floyd in horror like hopefully every other law enforcement professional in America did, he told the Sun Sentinel. Orlando police chief withdraws candidacy for top job at Fort Lauderdale Did you encounter any technical issues? 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. The list of semi-finalists represented a lot of talent both within and outside the department, Mayor Dean Trantalis said. That was the day Lagerbloom demoted longtime chief Rick Maglione to major as protests over the police killing of George Floyd swept the nation. 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. The other five are Dennis Jackson II, retired assistant chief for the Miami Police Department; Heather Morris, assistant chief for the Houston Police Department; Larry Scirotto, retired assistant chief for the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police; and Kristen Ziman, chief of the Aurora (Ill.) Police Department. Discovery Company. CNN Sans & 2016 Cable News Network. (City of Fort Lauderdale/Courtesy). 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. (Photo courtesy of City of Fort Lauderdale), its handling of downtown protests on May 31 and the aftermath. Ron DeSantis was doing some of the recruitment himself on Monday. Scirotto had been accused of overlooking white. 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. 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.