Newly elected Florida Governor Ron DeSantis doesn’t mess around.
He wasted no time in ditching Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel. The sheriff has been surrounded by controversy since the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting last year. There have been numerous calls for him to step down but nothing has happened until now.
There had been talk this week about DeSantis pulling the trigger to remove Israel and now he has…Bravo! Israel was suspended for “incompetence” and “neglect of duty” It’s about time!
DeSantis had this to say about his order:
“I have no interest in dancing on Scott Israel’s political grave,” DeSantis said. “Just suffice to say that the massacre might never happened had Broward had better leadership in the Broward Sheriff’s Department.”
We’re sure the sheriff will fight this move by DeSantis though.
DeSantis wasted no time in naming an interim sheriff who just so happens to be the county’s first African-American sheriff:
FORT LAUDERDALE (CBSMiami) – A retired Coral Springs police sergeant will take the helm of the Broward Sheriff’s Office.
On Friday, Governor Ron Desantis suspended Broward Sheriff Scott Israel and named Gregory Tony as interim sheriff.
Tony is the county’s first African-American sheriff.
Tony’s resume cites a number of advanced degrees including Criminal Justice Doctorate Degree Candidate, a Masters Degree in Criminal Justice from Nova Southeastern University and he was an Adjunct Criminal Professor for eight years.
He got his Bachelor Degree in Criminology in 2002 at Florida State University where he also played football.
Governor DeSantis: “The people of Broward County deserve accountable, competent leaders who can safeguard our communities.”
“Gregory Tony will be a champion for Broward County who will work tirelessly to safeguard our schools and our streets while ensuring accountability within the Sheriff’s office.”
I have waited on today for over 9 months @browardsheriff @RonDeSantisFL Tune in to hear the announcement at 3pm #fixit
— Andrew Pollack (@AndrewPollackFL) January 11, 2019
It was reportedly Andrew Pollack whose daughter Meadow, was killed in the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting, who recommended Gregory Tony.