Sheriff Gregory Tony
A Message from Sheriff Gregory Tony:
Serving as your sheriff is a great honor and a tremendous responsibility. Since taking command in 2019, the over 5,500 men and women of the Broward Sheriff’s Office (BSO) have worked tirelessly to bring the best public safety services to our county. We have implemented significant reforms, enhanced operational efficiency, forged stronger community connections, and prioritized accountability and transparency, establishing ourselves as national leaders in public safety.
Following the tragedy at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, our primary goal has been to enhance training for all first responders. Today, our deputies participate in a rigorous training curriculum, including annual in-service training, patrol rifle proficiency development, active assailant response, Tactical Combat Casualty Care, Incident Command System exercises, and dedicated supervisor instruction for critical incident/scene management. Our new Research, Development, and Training Center (R.D.T.C.) will further enhance these training initiatives, ensuring our first responders are well-prepared for any scenario and equipped to tackle emerging public safety challenges.
It was also imperative that we restore public trust in our organization. We implemented measures to hold employees accountable and enhance transparency in misconduct investigations and use of force incidents. We reorganized our Professional Standards Committee (PSC) to be more reflective of our community, selecting qualified individuals who are well-versed in labor law, internal affairs investigations, and human resources to better evaluate incidents of wrongdoing. Additionally, we proactively engage with the community to address unique concerns through initiatives like the Social Justice Task Force (SJTF), which comprises community activists, faith leaders, and stakeholders. The SJTF aims to address community concerns and enhance transparency, communication, and accountability while building stronger relationships between law enforcement and the community.
Innovative outreach efforts, reminiscent of traditional community policing practices, have strengthened our relationships with the community. Programs such as the Neighborhood Support Team (NST) and Park, Walk, and Talk (PWT) foster personal connections between BSO and the people we serve. We are connecting with our residents where they live and sharing important public safety messages. In 2023, NST distributed nearly 100,000 resource materials and participated in over 510 community events, while PWT facilitated nearly 38,000 personal community interactions.
Understanding that learning never stops, we’ve prioritized continuing education. We’ve teamed up with universities to offer employees the opportunity to expand their knowledge of public safety through advanced degree programs, such as public administration. These educational programs help develop essential critical thinking and decision-making skills, leading to a more knowledgeable and responsible approach to public safety.
All these achievements, along with many other successes of my administration, were made possible by BSO’s dedicated men and women. This organization is made up of hardworking individuals who are committed to making a positive impact through public service. I also want to express my gratitude to our residents. During my time at BSO, I’ve met many individuals who are passionate about doing what’s right for the betterment of their neighbors. These interactions have deepened my understanding of neighborhood issues and the challenges facing our community, significantly shaping my leadership approach. As a result, I am better equipped to guide BSO toward a successful and progressive future.
We’ve made great strides toward becoming one of the best-trained, most progressive, accountable public safety organizations in the state. There’s still so much to achieve, and I look forward to what we will continue to accomplish together.
Sheriff Gregory Tony
Certain Broward cities like Coconut Creek, Hallandale Beach, Pembroke Pines, Sunrise, Plantation, Davie, Margate, Miramar, Lauderhill, Lighthouse Point, and Coral Springs maintain their police departments; however, BSO does provide communications and dispatch services to the following cities: Central Broward, Cooper City, Dania Beach, Deerfield Beach, Ft Lauderdale-Hollywood Int’l Airport, Lauderdale-By-The-Sea, Lauderdale Lakes, North Lauderdale, Oakland Park, Parkland, West Park, Pompano Beach, Port Everglades, Tamarac, Weston, and unincorporated West Broward.
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