In public safety, there is no room for error. As the leader of an organization responsible for ensuring the safety of everyone who lives in and visits Broward County, it is my responsibility to ensure we hold ourselves to the highest standards of accountability. That means we not only correct areas needing improvement, but we also examine ourselves to determine if what we are doing is working and, if not, make it right. Accountability is a promise I made to you on my first day as sheriff.
BSO’s Office of Inspector General (OIG) is a new bureau within the Department of Professional Standards that will hold our agency accountable in all areas of our operation. The OIG provides oversight of all departments within BSO. This protocol ensures if we find problems, we work toward developing viable solutions. We are designing the OIG with transparency in mind. Our focus is to work more cohesively, fiscally responsible and operationally sound.
The OIG encompasses three divisions:
- The Division of Internal Affairs and Public Corruption ensures we thoroughly and objectively investigate allegations of misconduct against employees.
- The Division of Internal Audit identifies ways BSO can operate more efficiently and be fiscally accountable.
- The Division of Policy and Accountability conducts ongoing independent reviews of internal departments to ensure we exceed public safety standards.
Combining these three divisions under one bureau will ensure continuous review, effective communication and shared problem-solving. To spearhead this new office, I have selected Major Scott Champagne, a 23-year law enforcement veteran. During his career, Major Champagne has led BSO’s Division of Internal Affairs and Public Corruption Unit. He has demonstrated experience in separating himself from agency business to review claims of wrongdoing independently.
I will always focus on improvements for public safety. This new department has a clear mission: to help everyone at BSO do our jobs more efficiently and transparently so we can better serve you.
Service Equals Reward
Sheriff Gregory Tony
