Gregory Tony, a Sheriff who wants to be seen
like a true human leader

Mission and vision

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They will open the Research, Development and Training Center, the first in the institution's

109 years.

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21.11% of Broward Sheriff's Office employees are Hispanic, and the county is home to a 32.5% Hispanic population.

 

I want my employees to have the training, tools and resources they need to achieve the mission, vision and objectives of our institution.

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“There are times when you need to lead with a strong hand and other times you need to show compassion.” and empathy, but never compromise your integrity.”

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“This means of communication has been fundamental in reaching our Spanish-speaking residents.”

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What would you like Broward County residents to know about the Sheriff's Office?

and his role as Sheriff?

As Sheriff of Broward County, I am committed to leading by example and ensuring that the men and women who work with me have the training, tools and resources they need to achieve the mission, vision and goals of our agency. I want to ensure that we continue to provide the highest level of public safety services to the residents and visitors of Broward County.

 

What achievements are you most proud of since your tenure five years ago?

Our commitment to training and education is high on the list of achievements. Since I have been sheriff, we have raised our training standards. We have also partnered with local universities to offer advanced education opportunities to our employees. We have had many successes with our Real-Time Crime Center, which uses technology to help investigate potentially dangerous threats and assists first responders with calls for service as they occur, maintaining vigilant surveillance in several areas of Broward County. On the horizon is the long-awaited opening of our new Research, Development and Training Center, which will open later this year. For the first time in our agency's 109-year history, we will have a dedicated on-site training center. I have also worked with my staff and community leaders to create a more transparent, inclusive and accountable sheriff's office while providing public safety that all residents can trust.

 

Looking to the future, what are your goals?

Remain at the forefront of public safety. We have a well-crafted strategic plan that serves as a guide to inform our daily decisions and actions. It is designed to encourage our employees to explore new approaches that address public safety, measure our progress, and engage communities. We want Broward County to be a safer, more vibrant place to live, work and thrive.

 

What are some of the obstacles you face in meeting your goals?

I would call it challenges. For any law enforcement agency it is the ever-changing public safety landscape. We must be well trained and prepared to respond to any incident at all times, mitigate the damage and return to normal.

 

What kind of information on social media or in the media irritates you and how do you respond?

Or do you just try to ignore it?

Social media is a great tool when used for good and to inform the public. What can be frustrating is inaccurate and irresponsible reporting, especially when it divides communities. You combat misinformation by being a credible source that people can trust. I invite your readers to connect with us on our website: sheriff.org and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube @browardssheriffsoffice and on X and TikTok @browardssheriff.

 

Do you have a shortage of bilingual staff, particularly Spanish-speaking staff? If so, what initiatives can be implemented to increase recruitment and participation?

We have remained proactive in engaging the Hispanic population in Broward County. I am the first sheriff in agency history to promote two Cuban Americans to the rank of Colonel/Executive Director. We also have a bilingual, Spanish-speaking public information officer who serves as our agency's liaison to the news media and the Hispanic community. That way, they stay informed about issues affecting their community and we can foster our relationship with the community in their language. Additionally, your publication has been instrumental in allowing us to reach our Spanish-speaking residents. We have published safety tips ads in Spanish in your newspaper.

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Currently, Hispanics make up 32.5% of the population in Broward County and at BSO, 21.11% of our employees are Hispanic. We strive to reflect the communities we serve, and that number will continue to grow, just as our efforts to stay connected to our Hispanic community will continue to grow. We are always recruiting and welcome diversity in the organization.

 

Which image do you think is more important to project: that of a kind and benevolent public administrator aimed at the law-abiding community at large, or that of a tough and strong person against targeted crime?

I think it's important to be seen as an authentic human leader. There are times when you need to lead with a strong hand and other times you need to show compassion and empathy, but you never compromise your integrity. Although each of us has probably been a victim of crime at various times throughout our lives, for most of us it tends to be rather random. But something that has become more common, especially in recent years, is chaos on our roads, especially that experienced by older drivers. Any street or highway can sometimes suddenly transform into some version of Indy 500 racing.

 

Is there anything that can be done, including technological advances, to calm the situation?

The dedicated men and women of the Broward Sheriff's Office work diligently to protect the public from harm; This includes providing them with important information and safety tips so they do not become victims.

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I want to remind all motorists not to encounter reckless drivers. Instead, stay calm and let them pass. Let law enforcement officers deal with traffic violators and hold them accountable for their illegal actions.

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Questions original in English: David Crocker

Report in Spanish:  Judith Crocker