Scott Israel | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Police Chief of Opa-locka, Florida | |
| In office 2022–2023 | |
| 16th Sheriff of Broward County | |
| In office January 8, 2013 – January 11, 2019 | |
| Preceded by | Al Lamberti |
| Succeeded by | Gregory Tony |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1956 or 1957 (age 67–68) New York, US |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Susan Israel |
| Children | 3 |
| Residence | Davie, Florida |
| Alma mater | |
| Occupation | Law enforcement officer |
Scott Israel is an American law enforcement officer in Florida, and the former Broward County Sheriff.
Israel was chief of police in North Bay Village, Florida, from 2004 to 2008, during which time he was named Police Chief of the Year in Miami Dade County.[1][2][3] He later served as the 16th Sheriff of the 6,000-member Sheriff's Office in Broward County, Florida, from 2013 until 2019. In 2016, Broward County voters re-elected Israel as Sheriff with 72% of the vote - the largest electoral win for a Broward County Sheriff in 80 years.
He has been outspoken regarding gun violence and gun control, and opposed open carry legislation. Israel called for a ban on assault rifles to be reinstated, and said that he does not believe that people with mental illness should have access to firearms. His views made him a target of conservatives across the nation, in part due to his criticism of the National Rifle Association, and what he considers to be lax gun laws.
The Parkland high school shooting occurred in his jurisdiction in February 2018 while he was Broward County Sheriff, and his department and deputies were criticized. Newly elected Florida Governor Ron DeSantis suspended him three days after taking office 11 months later. Israel appealed to the Florida Senate, which appointed J. Dudley Goodlette (R), a former member of the Florida House of Representatives, to[4] serve as Special Master and hear testimony and evidence with regard to the propriety of the suspension. After Goodlette conducted a trial, he issued his report in September 2019, finding that Israel's removal by the governor had been improper, and recommending that Israel be reinstated. Nevertheless, in October 2019, the Florida Senate voted to confirm Israel's suspension.[5][6][7]
- ^ Zwirz, Elizabeth (January 8, 2019). "Florida governor suspends Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel, sources say". Fox News. Archived from the original on January 9, 2019. Retrieved January 8, 2019.
- ^ "Gov. DeSantis Removes BSO Sheriff Scott Israel From Office; 'I Have No Interest In Dancing On His Political Grave'". CBS Miami. January 11, 2019. Archived from the original on January 11, 2019. Retrieved January 11, 2019.
- ^ Huriash, Lisa J.; Man, Anthony; Trischitta, Linda; Wallman, Brittany (January 11, 2019). "Sheriff Scott Israel dumped over Parkland shooting failures; new sheriff is Gregory Tony". Sun-Sentinel. Archived from the original on January 11, 2019. Retrieved January 11, 2019.
- ^ "Dudley Goodlette Named Chairman of Naples Ethics Commission". Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce. December 8, 2020.
- ^ "Florida Senate Votes To Permanently Remove Former Broward Sheriff Scott Israel". CBS News. October 23, 2019. Archived from the original on October 24, 2019. Retrieved October 24, 2019.
- ^ Man, Anthony (October 24, 2019). "Florida Senate endorses Gov. Ron DeSantis, removes Scott Israel as Broward sheriff". Sun-Sentinel. Archived from the original on October 24, 2019. Retrieved October 24, 2019.
- ^ Franzin, Rachel (October 23, 2019). "Florida Senate votes to remove Broward Sheriff after Parkland shooting". The Hill. Archived from the original on October 24, 2019. Retrieved October 26, 2019.