Sheriff Gregory Tony. {BSO}
A Message from Sheriff Gregory Tony:
When most people think about a sheriff’s office, they imagine deputies responding to emergencies, making arrests and investigating crimes. While those responsibilities are critical, a true full-service public safety organization must also address what happens after an arrest. That is where the Broward Sheriff’s Office (BSO) Department of Community Programs (DOCP) delivers measurable results.
DOCP provides structured, accountable alternatives to incarceration that combine supervision, treatment and evidence-based intervention. This approach holds individuals responsible while targeting the root causes of repeat offending. Organized into five specialized divisions, Pretrial Services, Misdemeanor Probation, Drug Court Treatment, Juvenile Services and Reentry, DOCP provides a comprehensive continuum of care to reduce the jail population, save millions of tax dollars in incarceration costs and strengthen public safety across Broward County.
BSO’s Pretrial Services and Misdemeanor Probation divisions provide court-ordered supervision for individuals in the community while maintaining accountability and protecting public safety. Established in the early 80s, the Pretrial Services Division is one of the longest-standing programs of its kind in Florida. The division supervises thousands of individuals awaiting trial under court-ordered conditions through reporting requirements, home and office visits, drug testing and, when necessary, electronic monitoring and Global Positioning System (GPS) tracking. By stabilizing employment and preserving family ties, these strategies minimize the impact of criminal justice involvement while directly tackling the root causes of crime. Misdemeanor Probation provides supervision for individuals convicted of misdemeanor offenses through structured reporting and compliance requirements. The division also offers diversion programs for first-time offenders, typically lasting three to six months. Successful completion may result in case dismissal, reinforcing accountability while helping individuals avoid the long-term consequences of a criminal conviction.
BSO’s Drug Court Treatment Division, one of the oldest programs in the nation, addresses one of the primary drivers of criminal behavior: substance use. Participants undergo intensive, court-supervised treatment that includes counseling, frequent drug testing, medication management, psychiatric services and crisis intervention. The program also connects participants with supportive housing, transportation assistance and employment referrals. This comprehensive model reduces recidivism, decreases the risk of relapse and restores stability to individuals and families.
The Community Justice Program provides early intervention for youth, ages seven to 17, through restorative justice and structured diversion. Proactive support for youth offenders significantly lowers the likelihood of future criminal behavior, safeguarding both the individuals involved and the community.
Successful reentry is proven to be one of the most effective crime-reduction strategies available to law enforcement today. For individuals returning to the community post-incarceration, our Reentry Division provides structured supervision, employment assistance, treatment referrals and essential support services to stabilize them during a critical transition period. Through partnerships with community organizations, we host employment and resource fairs, financial literacy workshops and outreach initiatives that address housing instability and workforce barriers.
True public safety is not measured solely by the arrests we make, but by the cycles we break. Through prevention, intervention, structured supervision and successful reentry, our Department of Community Programs is breaking cycles of crime and proactively building a safer, more resilient future for all of Broward County. To learn more about Community Programs, visit sheriff.org.
Sheriff Dr. Gregory Tony
Service Equals Reward
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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