BSO union misfires with self-serving vote against Sheriff Scott Israel

On the surface, the dangerous divide between Broward Sheriff Scott Israel and the union representing deputies on road patrol appears to be all about money, which it is.

But beneath the surface is a troubling tension over the sheriff ’s progressive philosophy of community policing — a philosophy that deserves our community’s support.

This week, the tug-of-war culminated in a “vote of no confidence” in the sheriff, affirmed by 534 of 628 deputies participating. The vote was an unsettling, unprecedented moment in Broward’s history. It means that about 40 percent of the union’s 1,300 members don’t trust their leader and want Gov. Rick Scott to get rid of him.

But it’s not that simple. Neither is it appropriate.

For despite his flaws, in this fight with the union, Sheriff Israel is on the side of right.

By contrast, Deputy Jeff Bell, president of the International Union of Police Associations Local 6020, miscalculated by scheduling a no-confidence vote before awaiting the Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s investigation of the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland.

Before aiming for someone’s head, shouldn’t deputies first know exactly what happened? years ago? At the time, Bell cited the sheriff ’s “strong leadership, morals and the continued commitment to the community and law enforcement.”

The deputies wanted to support the sheriff, Bell said, “but from that point forward, he’s been on a downward spiral. Policies that have come out have been detrimental to deputies. They cause unnecessary paperwork to protect them from civil liability in the future. And it further discourages deputies from going out and being proactive police officers in the street.

“You may say that crime is down, but look at how many arrests are lower than last year, as well. It’s because deputies don’t want to do anything out there because of the miserable policies that his staff has enacted.”

Bell seems to measure success by arrest numbers. We’d argue the crime rate is a better indicator.

MICHAEL LAUGHLIN/STAFF FILE PHOTO It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out why the BSO deputies’ union, which enthusiastically endorsed Sheriff Scott Israel for re-election two years ago, held a no-confidence vote on him this past week. It’s trying to take advantage of the...