Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel believes he's going to be suspended over his failed response to the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland last year. The Sheriff told high-ranking officials in his office he's preparing to be removed now that Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has been sworn in, Miami News-Times reported. Israel did make it known to those close to him that he'd fight to get his job back.
DeSantis was questioned about the possibility of removing Israel on Monday. Part of DeSantis' concern with removing Israel was finding someone to fill the vacancy who he believed would "do a good job."
BREAKING: Miami Herald reports Broward Sheriff Scott Israel is telling staff he's being suspended over Parkland school shooting response. Gov's office not confirming any action, but here's what Governor @RonDeSantisFL told reporters on Monday. @MyNews13 @BN pic.twitter.com/GAfKIyise7
— Greg Angel (@NewsGuyGreg) January 8, 2019
Israel came under fire for the Broward County Sheriff's lack of response during the Parkland shooting. Not only did his deputies fail to pursue the attacker but Israel failed to take responsibility for the department's failures.
While removing Israel from office is a start, Deputy Jeff Bell, the BSO union chief and member of DeSantis’ transition team, said it would do little to actually fix the department.
It “would remove an incompetent sheriff,” Bell told the News-Times.“But if you’re looking to fix the agency and put it on the right track, it does nothing to do that.”
But in order to clear the cronyism, Israel's political appointees would need to be let go, something that has been long overdue.