Rodney Brimlow, a 51-year-old retired captain from the Broward Sheriff’s Office (BSO), has been selected to head the City of Deerfield Beach’s new Office of Public Safety. Brimlow, who spent 26 years with BSO, including three years as commander of the Deerfield Beach district, will oversee six departments: police, fire, code enforcement, ocean rescue, parking, and park rangers, as well as emergency management.
Brimlow’s appointment was announced informally at a Deerfield Beach Kiwanis Club awards meeting, where he was being honored. City Manager David Santucci praised Brimlow as the best candidate for the job, citing his familiarity with the city as a significant advantage.
The new Office of Public Safety was created to improve efficiencies, with a budget of $529,706 for this fiscal year. Brimlow’s starting salary will be $155,000, and he will begin work after Thanksgiving.
In his new role, Brimlow aims to address broad-based concerns, work towards meaningful solutions, and prioritize emergency management and disaster mitigation. He described himself as a lifelong learner, holding degrees from prestigious institutions such as Harvard, University of Florida, and Wharton School of Business.
Commissioner Todd Drosky, who proposed the creation of the Office of Public Safety, expressed enthusiasm for working with Brimlow, highlighting his ability to craft and implement procedures to make Deerfield Beach more efficient and safe.