Sheriff Gregory Tony
A Message from Sheriff Gregory Tony:
What a year it’s been! As we turned the corner on the COVID-19 pandemic, the Broward Sheriff’s Office (BSO) remained fully committed to our core mission of providing top-notch public safety services while continuing to create new and innovative programs and initiatives.
We returned to hosting in-person community events, solving decade-old crimes, and improving critical training and educational opportunities for employees. Here are some of the highlights:
CONNECTING WITH THE COMMUNITY
After two years of limited in-person community interaction, BSO showed up in a big way. We hosted numerous important events, including our Shred-a-thon and Operation Medicine Cabinet events, National Night Out, town halls, and other community-centered events.
These opportunities continue to build mutual trust and understanding with those we serve. Check our community events calendar on sheriff.org for dates and locations of upcoming events near you.
COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS
We awarded 76 deserving community-based non-profits a total of $930,000 in Law Enforcement Trust Funds (LETF). This was the most money given out in a single year under my leadership.
These funds, which come from the forfeiture and seizure of contraband used in the commission of a crime, are given back to the community through organizations to further the mission of preventing crime and keeping our neighborhoods safe.
To learn more about how your non-profit organization can apply for a future LETF grant, please visit sheriff.org and follow us on social media for future announcements on when applications are being accepted.
STRENGTHENING OUR 911 SYSTEM
Earlier this year, BSO succeeded in obtaining additional funding from the Broward County Commission to increase the salaries of our communications operators. This increase makes us competitive with surrounding public safety call centers and helps recruit and retain these critical employees.
If you have a passion to serve and want a rewarding career, visit us at jobs.sheriff.org or contact our Recruitment Unit at recruitmentunit@sheriff.org.
CLOSING CASES
“Gone, but not forgotten” is the impetus behind BSO’s dedicated Cold Case Unit. Formed in 2019, the unit offers increased attention to unsolved cases, and this year the unit had incredible successes.
In one instance, we identified and criminally charged a man known as the Pillowcase Rapist, who was responsible for many sexual assaults in the 1980s.
In another, the unit solved the 1994 rape and murder of an 89-year-old woman. We also launched an exclusive Cold Case video series to uncover possible new leads and bring more exposure to these investigations.
I encourage you to take some time to view the series on the Broward Sheriff’s Office YouTube channel: BrowardSheriffsOffice. If you have any information about these crimes, please contact Broward Crime Stoppers at (954) 493-TIPS(8477).
STAFF TRAINING AND EDUCATION
Training and education are paramount for operational preparedness and excellence in service.
In 2022, BSO partnered with local universities to expand higher education opportunities for all personnel and increased participation in executive-level training courses.
As sheriff, I must lead by example. This year, I was selected to participate and completed the FBI’s prestigious National Executive Institute Leadership Course.
I am also currently pursuing my Ph.D. at Nova Southeastern University. As an organization, we are on a mission to become the most academically credentialed agency in the state.
This year, we finalized plans for BSO’s state-of-the-art training center, broke ground, and construction crews are making tremendous progress. Upon completion, the 100,000+ square-foot facility will be the first dedicated onsite training facility in our organization’s 107-year history.
It will elevate our preparedness and enhance our public safety services to the Broward County community. Follow our progress on our Facebook and Instagram, @browardsheriffsoffice.
As we head into the holiday season, you will continue to see BSO out safeguarding your neighborhoods and getting to know our residents. Stop by and say hello!
On behalf of BSO’s men and women, have a happy and safe holiday season! We’ll see you in the new year.
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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