Every emergency response begins with a voice on the other end of the line. The Broward Sheriff’s Office (BSO) Regional Communications Division is the critical first point of contact when seconds matter most, serving as the bridge between crisis and resolution. Behind every call is a highly trained professional who must remain calm under pressure, make rapid decisions and ensure responders are deployed without delay.
As one of the largest consolidated dispatch systems in the nation, this division operates from three Public Safety Answering Points. Our team handles both 911 emergencies and non-emergency calls, dispatches law enforcement and fire rescue units and manages teletype communications across Broward County’s unincorporated areas, 28 municipalities, 15 fire rescue agencies and critical infrastructure, including the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, Port Everglades, Broward County Courthouse and our detention facilities.
Regional Communications Operators are the first point of contact when someone dials 911, guiding law enforcement and fire rescue units to the scene. Using advanced dispatch software, they interpret call data, prioritize incidents and assign appropriate resources. They maintain constant radio communication with deputies and fire rescue units, provide updated information as situations evolve while monitoring responder safety. They also conduct rapid database checks, verify warrants, confirm restraining orders, review driver’s license statuses and access criminal justice information systems at the state and national levels. This is a 24/7 operation with no margin for error.
Each year, our Regional Communications Operators process more than 1.7 million calls for service. That level of service is made possible by approximately 450 dedicated professionals working together seamlessly to ensure every call is answered and every situation is handled with urgency and care.
As your sheriff, I have prioritized the implementation and use of cutting-edge technology and expanded the availability of resources necessary to meet the evolving demands of public safety. We have championed the integration of Text-to-911, providing a vital lifeline for individuals who are speech-impaired or in dangerous situations where a voice call is not an option. Through the implementation of Automatic Resource Locator technology, our radios are now equipped with integrated Global Positioning System capabilities that allow Regional Communications Operators to immediately identify their exact location and deploy assistance faster and more effectively.
While our Regional Communications Operators are trained in high-stakes emergencies, they also manage essential non-emergency calls. We encourage residents to use the BSO non-emergency line at 954-764-HELP (4357) for non-urgent matters such as reporting identity theft, roaming animals or suspicious activity. This helps ensure 911 remains open for immediate emergencies.
The men and women of BSO’s Regional Communications Division are the “first” first responders. They are the link between those in need and those who respond. Our community is safer because of their professionalism, commitment and unwavering dedication to service. For more information about Regional Communications, visit www.sheriff.org/inbso/regional-communications/.
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.
