The Broward Sheriff's Office (BSO) is one of the nation's largest full-service public safety agencies with over 5,500 employees, including nearly 3,400 sworn law enforcement officers, detention deputies and fire rescue personnel.
BSO provides full-time law enforcement services in 12 cities and towns within Broward County and all unincorporated areas. In addition to road patrol and other customary operations, BSO administers vital countywide regional support services, including K-9, SWAT, marine patrol, training division, bomb detection and aviation. The organization also safeguards critical infrastructure, including the Broward County Courthouse, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, Port Everglades, the county's waterways and parts of the Everglades.
BSO manages 911 intake and dispatch services for nearly all Broward County municipalities and provides oversight for the South Florida Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. In addition, BSO operates the only full-service internationally accredited crime lab in Broward County. BSO's Real Time Crime Center monitors live camera feeds at every public school in the county, providing real-time intelligence to ground units and enhancing response efficiency.
BSO's Department of Detention and Community Programs administers the county's four jails and offender rehabilitation programs, including Drug Court, County Probation, Pretrial Services and the Reentry Division.
In October 2003, BSO took over the administration of the county's fire rescue operations, forming the Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue (BSFR). This department provides fire suppression, fire protection, emergency medical services and educational programs across unincorporated areas and contracted municipalities. BSFR also operates countywide Hazardous Materials, Air Rescue, Everglades Rescue and Technical Rescue teams.