Well, that’s the ballgame for Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel. He’s preparing to leave his post, faced with a likely removal from office by newly sworn-in Gov. Ron DeSantis. He also faces possible suspension for his response to the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting last February (via Miami Herald):
It appears that Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel is preparing to pack up his office.
The two-term sheriff, the object of fierce criticism over BSO’s handling of the Parkland massacre, told his top commanders that he will be removed from office by Gov. Ron DeSantis, sources have told the Miami Herald.
DeSantis, who was sworn in Tuesday morning, had not made a formal announcement of a possible suspension. Israel’s discussions with staff about his ouster was first reported by Miami New Times.
Stuart N. Kaplan, one of Israel’s lawyers, said Israel was in his office at the public safety building in Fort Lauderdale working on Tuesday.
Israel has been at the center of controversy after the tragic shooting, which sparked another wave of anti-gun activism. He pretty much said that nothing was his fault. His deputy never entered the building to confront shooter Nikolas Cruz. This was a preventable shooting. At all levels, state, federal, and local, the red flags were there—and ignored. The Broward County Sheriff’s office visited the home of Cruz multiple times. Since the tragic shooting, rank-and-file deputies took a no confidence vote regarding Sheriff Israel. Last December, the South Florida Sun Sentinel noted that the school district and the sheriff’s office fell way short of their responsibilities, which cost students lives.
So, yeah, I can see why Scotty wants to high tail out of there.
