As sheriff of Broward County, I attended the Deerfield Beach City Commission meeting on Jan. 6 to express my deep concerns with a newly published city commissioned feasibility study on transitioning to a stand-alone police and fire department.
The study was commissioned by the city in October 2025 to provide the Commission with the cost of starting and maintaining stand-alone services in comparison to the Broward Sheriff’s Office (BSO) contract services.
It asserted that a transition to a stand-alone police and fire department was both achievable and financially advantageous.
Gregory Tony is sheriff of Broward County. (courtesy, Broward Sheriff’s Office, photography by Cliff Frommer)
While that claim sounded appealing, a substantive review revealed conclusions that lacked credibility and included significant gaps, unsupported assumptions and critical oversights that would directly impact emergency operations, staffing levels, training standards and critical incident response.
I felt strongly that any decision based on incomplete or inaccurate information risked the safety of more than 87,000 residents of Deerfield Beach and the first responders who served them.
City commissioners agreed. They postponed any action until Jan. 20, when they will consider my proposal for a two-year BSO contract and an offer for BSO to pay for a more substantial feasibility study, to be conducted by a firm of the city’s choice from a list of firms recommended by the International City/County Management Association, and under the city’s direction.
My proposal would allow the commission adequate time to conduct a true feasibility study so it can make an informed decision on how the city should provide public safety to its residents and visitors in the future. The commission acknowledged that public safety cannot be governed by theoretical savings or untested models and that any proposed changes must be rooted in verifiable data, operational reality and a clear demonstration that it will enhance, not jeopardize, public safety.
The relationship between BSO and Deerfield Beach has been a strong one for the past 35 years. Recently it has been tested. But now both sides have worked together on behalf of all of Deerfield Beach to assure that, whatever the decision on how best to provide public safety, it will be one based upon facts — not emotion.
That is a big win for everyone. Jan. 20 is the next step to ensure the best in public safety — a step that will save lives. I, and the men and women of BSO who serve in Deerfield Beach, will proudly continue to provide the best public safety to Deerfield Beach as the commission deliberates.
We are confident our services will prove to be the best option for the city moving forward.
Gregory Tony is sheriff of Broward County.