Sheriff Gregory Tony
A Message from Sheriff Gregory Tony:
Shortly after becoming sheriff, I introduced the Broward Sheriff’s Office (BSO) Pillars, six initiatives designed to enhance our ability to protect and serve the community. These pillars outlined BSO’s vision to establish one of the nation’s most progressive, transparent, and efficient public safety organizations. Most importantly, each was created with a focus to ensure the safety of every Broward County resident. I am excited to share with you the progress we’ve made so far:
School Safety and Technology
BSO remains committed to prioritizing the safety of our students. Equipped with cutting-edge technology, our Real Time Crime Center (RTCC) continues identifying and investigating potential threats to our community and schools. With access to nearly 25,000 cameras in public schools, houses of worship, and county facilities, the RTCC has assisted in investigating over 5,600 incidents, which led to 117 arrests. Our efforts have proven successful, and in the coming months, the RTCC will expand to include additional staff, upgraded technology, and more space for partner agencies.
Also integral to school safety is BSO’s robust Incident Command System (ICS) training, ensuring all personnel are ready to act if a critical incident occurs. Further, all deputies receive ongoing active assailant training to enhance their preparedness.
Serving the Broward Community
Fostering genuine relationships with our residents is vital. Initiatives such as our Park, Walk, and Talk (PWT) program and the Neighborhood Support Team (NST) have facilitated great community trust. In the past year, our deputies had more than 38,000 community encounters through PWT, and NST distributed over 100,000 important public safety materials.
BSO’s Department of Fire Rescue and Emergency Services also takes community education to the next level. Employing a second-to-none public education program, our dedicated team of Life Safety Educators teaches hands-on CPR and bleeding control courses, critical skills in a lifesaving emergency. They also offer free car seat installations and inspections and help educate parents and caregivers on child passenger safety.
Last year, I formed a committee to draft a comprehensive plan for BSO, leading us to a sustainable, progressive, and innovative future. As we move forward, our 2024-2028 strategic plan will continue to bolster our community engagement efforts, focusing on strengthening community relationships, optimizing resource allocation, and expanding the availability of online educational platforms for the public.
Training and Preparedness
In the coming months, we will open the doors to BSO’s first-ever Research, Development, and Training Center (RDTC), a 104,000-square-foot state-of-the-art facility. Every aspect of the RDTC will elevate our preparedness. Two 50-yard tactical firing ranges will allow for vehicle entry to replicate vehicle takedowns and active shooter scenarios, and a shoot house will be outfitted with reconfigurable panels to host a myriad of real-world training experiences. The RDTC will consolidate training efforts, enhance communication among BSO departments, and foster collaboration with neighboring municipalities, ensuring seamless public safety operations throughout Broward County.
Promoting from Within
Over the past five years, we’ve promoted more than 1,300 employees. Our emphasis on education and leadership development courses have aided these promotions. We have also expanded academic partnerships, providing opportunities for greater professional growth. A forthcoming career track will establish employee benchmarks and provide avenues for advancement.
Recruitment
Strategic recruitment efforts have filled more than 2,000 needed positions throughout the organization. We reduced our communication center vacancy rate from 24 percent to zero. We focus our recruitment efforts on qualified individuals interested in serving the community and emphasize the inherent rewards of a public safety career. BSO is committed to innovative initiatives to continue attracting top talent.
Accountability and Transparency
BSO remains a beacon of accountability and transparency, exemplified by our actions. The men and women who work for this organization are held to the highest standards. Our Office of Inspector General, created in 2021, continues to ensure our organization runs efficiently, economically, and responsibly. BSO also publishes an annual report to provide a greater understanding of how tax dollars are spent in service to protect and serve the Broward County community. To read the latest report, visit www.sheriff.org/SheriffTony.
BSO will continue to drive forward, focusing on these foundational pillars of success. We remain dedicated to sustainable growth and excellence in service, embodying a purpose-driven, service-oriented approach to public safety.
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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