Broward Sheriff Plans Response To Florida Governor's Announcement

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL — While Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis hasn't said publicly whether he's planning to suspend or remove Broward Sheriff Scott Israel, the governor said he plans to issue a statement outside the sheriff's office Friday regarding "holding government officials accountable." The announcement was postponed for a time due to mechanical problems with the governor's plane.

DeSantis was to be joined by Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nuñez and Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody at 3 p.m. in the Ron Cochran Public Safety Complex Courtyard. The time was later rescheduled to 4:30 p.m.

"Mechanical problems have forced Gov. Ron DeSantis to divert to St. Petersburg," according to spokesman Dave Vasquez. "The governor is accompanied by Attorney General Ashley Moody, his Chief of Staff Shane Strum and three members of his executive staff."

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Sheriff Israel said he will address the media at 5:15 p.m., but not at the Broward Sheriff's office. He plans to make his statement at the New Mount Olive Baptist Church, which is located at 400 NW 9th Ave. in Fort Lauderdale.

The president of the union that represents hundreds of Broward deputies told Patch earlier this week that he learned a high-ranking member of Israel's staff had resigned and that Israel appeared to be in the process of moving out of his headquarters.

"I got a phone call that they witnessed boxes being moved out of the public safety building," said Jeff Bell, president of the Broward Sheriff's Office Deputies Association. "They saw a box with some of Scott Israel's personal belongings being loaded up into the back of a truck today."

In his inaugural speech, DeSantis said he planned to lead with "purpose and conviction," and that he would remove any official who is "neglectful of required duties." See also Ron DeSantis Sworn In As Florida's 46th Governor

Bell told Patch he believes DeSantis was referring to Israel when he spoke those words.

"If they can't hold their oath, then he will remove them from office. That's a big indication for Scott Israel," Bell explained in the interview with Patch.

The Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Commission unanimously approved a 446-page report last week on the horrific school shooting that is critical of the Broward County sheriff's deputies who failed to confront the shooter and of Israel, whose office did not at the time have a policy requiring them to rush the three-story freshman building where the shooting happened.

Israel has said that he has done nothing to warrant removal. He recently made public new guidance that requires Broward Sheriff's deputies to "eliminate the threat" before all else when they arrive at the scene of an active shooter.

Asked by reporters if he planned to take action against Israel, DeSantis hinted that some action was forthcoming: "All I can say to the people of South Florida, 'I shall return very soon.'"

Photo courtesy Broward Sheriff's Office