Sheriff Gregory Tony
A Message from Sheriff Gregory Tony:
I’ve always kept a vision board listing my goals. Even as a boy living in a tiny rowhouse in the Philadelphia projects, I was preparing to achieve my dreams. I knew I didn’t need to do everything; I only needed to do the next thing.
Through planning and preparation, I became the first member of my family to graduate high school and then college. I soon joined law enforcement and, with greater planning, rose through the ranks to become the Coral Springs Police Department’s first black sergeant.
During my time with the department, I served in various capacities and received more than a dozen awards and letters of commendation.
Recognizing societal needs, I briefly stepped away from police work. I founded a company that trained the private and public sectors in preventative strategies and response for active shooter and mass casualty incidents. When the Broward Sheriff’s Office (BSO) needed someone to correct deficiencies following the tragic events at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, I accepted the opportunity to lead BSO, putting my expertise in active shooter training and readiness to work. In doing so, I also became the first black sheriff in the organization’s 109-year history – a privilege I don’t take lightly.
Each achievement, each step forward, was fueled by my commitment to excellence. Today, my vision board is filled with initiatives to enhance every aspect of BSO, from training and accountability to community relations and technology. Every member of our organization reinforces these initiatives, which foster unity, encourage progression, and uphold our core mission of protecting Broward County.
One of our most impactful initiatives is leveraging technology to proactively combat crime. The Threat Management Unit (TMU) and Real Time Crime Center (RTCC) detect and prevent potential threats from harming our community. Since its inception, the TMU has investigated more than 4,230 potentially violent incidents, resulting in more than 300 arrests. In addition, the RTCC has provided live surveillance during more than 5,600 investigations. As the RTCC undergoes expansion, it reinforces our commitment to providing excellence in service.
Transparency and accountability are fundamental to building trust with the people we serve. I’ve reorganized the Professional Standards Committee to include diverse voices and established the Use of Force Review Board to ensure fair evaluation and compliance with BSO policies. In addition, our annual report demonstrates our commitment to transparency, showcasing how taxpayer dollars are allocated for public safety.
Our efforts to enhance relationships and build trust in our communities are proving successful. Programs like our Neighborhood Support Team (NST) and Park, Walk, and Talk (PWT) facilitate personal interactions beyond routine calls for service to enhance understanding and address community needs. Since the inception of the PWT in 2019, we’ve had more than 130,000 interactions with residents across Broward County.
Encouraging diversity has been one of the primary goals of my administration. We have looked to reinforce our agency with recruitment and promotional opportunities for those most qualified. The result has been an organization that better reflects the diverse communities we serve. As sheriff, I’ve had the honor of promoting more than 1,300 employees, and we have filled nearly 2,100 positions throughout the organization. This commitment has been a critical factor in our operational success as valuable institutional knowledge has been applied to the development of various programs and initiatives.
Every step we take, however big, creates a significant, lasting imprint on this community. I’m proud of our progress in strengthening public safety, yet I am mindful of the work still to come. Just as my vision board is ever-evolving, so is BSO’s.
Sheriff 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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