On one occasion, when considering a promotion, the investigation found that Scirotto said “which one is blacker?” when choosing between two candidates. He denies saying this.

“Overall, there is a very divisive atmosphere within the department based on the perception the chief is intentionally using race, gender and sexual orientation as attributes necessary for promotions,” the investigative report concluded. 

“While the goal to diversify is an important and laudable goal it must be accomplished in a legally permissible manner.”

Chris Lagerbloom, the city manager of the Fort Lauderdale, said: “We strive to be diverse in our organisation. We strive to represent the community that we serve. There’s just certain lawful ways to allow that diversity to happen. In this case, the investigative report indicated we didn’t quite follow the law in how we were working towards those diverse positions.”

‘They deserved to be promoted’

Mr Scirotto has hit back at the investigation, telling 7News: “Those minority groups are now being treated as if they were less than deserving, and that’s not the case.

“The promotions that I made of the minority candidates were because they were exceptional candidates, and they excelled in every level of the organisation.

“They deserved to be promoted, and by the way, they happened to be a minority. It wasn’t because they were a minority.”

Mr Scirotto told CNN he promoted 15 people from August to November, and of that group six were ethnic or gender minorities selected for promotions based on their merit.

“None of them were promoted because they were in a protected class,” he said. “They were promoted because they were the best candidates.”

The department has about 530 officers and 179 civilian employees.

‘If promoting diversity is the hill I’m going to die on, I will sleep well tonight’

Mr Scirotto said he has obtained legal counsel and is planning on filing a wrongful termination lawsuit against the city.

“If promoting diversity is the hill I’m going to die on, I will sleep well tonight,” he said. “I won’t allow them to tarnish my reputation. I won’t allow them to tarnish the work that I’ve done in the 24 years I’ve been in this profession.”

Florida has been grappling with LGBT issues in recent weeks.

Governor Ron DeSantis appears poised to sign a bill banning LGBT teaching in schools as he sets his sights on the White House.

The Republican-backed legislation would ban the discussion of sexual orientation and gender identity in primary schools.

Officially titled the Parental Rights in Education bill, it has been dubbed the “Don’t Say Gay” bill by critics, including US President Joe Biden, who say it could stigmatise and harm LGBT youth.

According to Clifford Rosky, a law professor at the University of Utah, anti-gay curriculum laws currently exist in as many as 20 states.

The Florida bill goes a step further, allowing parents to directly sue school districts and seek damages if they believe an educator has broken the law.