The COPS Office is pleased to feature the Broward County Sheriff’s Office as a winner of the 2025 Community Policing in Action Photo Contest.

A simple act of kindness, as seen in the photo of Broward County Sheriff's Office (BSO) Detective Taryn Session of the Neighborhood Support Team (NST), helping a child select new clothes at a back-to-school event, can make a world of difference. And it is these positive personal interactions that are at the heart of community policing, a principal integral to BSO’s mission.

This event, which was hosted by BSO’s NST in partnership with Voices for Children of Broward County at an Old Navy clothing store, allowed children in foster care to choose “cool” new clothes donated by the store, a pleasure few had experienced before.

A non-profit organization which supports and advocates for children in court, school and other settings, Voices for Children works to ensure that every child in the Broward County’s foster care program has the necessary support and resources to meet their health, educational, and social needs.

BSO’s partnership with Voices for Children is just one example of the department’s commitment to Community Policing, which is based on building trust and collaborating with the community to create a safer community for all residents and visitors of Broward County.”

Launching Initiatives to Connect with the Community

This philosophy has been integral to BSO’s mission since 2019, when Dr. Gregory Tony was elected sheriff. As the leader of Florida’s largest sheriff’s office, he has focused on integrating the principle of community policing throughout his department of approximately 5,500 employees.

Serving a South Florida jurisdiction which includes 12 cities and towns, a major airport, a seaport, and courthouse, BSO also serves a diverse population of approximately two million people. To build better relationships with residents and visitors, BSO developed several programs and initiatives.

The first of these is BSO On Your Block: Park, Walk and Talk, an initiative launched by Sheriff Tony and his team to encourage deputies to step out of their cars and interact with people, hear their concerns and discuss how to address them.

Said Sheriff Tony, “I have seen how small interactions with the public can achieve huge safety results, so I have directed our deputies to get out of their patrol cars, walk the streets and connect with people.

These interactions go a long way toward building trust and respect, raising awareness, and bridging any gaps that may exist. When we are more visible and hands-on, people feel more comfortable sharing concerns and providing helpful tips.”

Social Justice Within the Neighborhood and Beyond

Soon after starting that program, Sheriff Tony launched the NST, which is composed of law enforcement representatives who work with members of the community to develop a strong network of representation and involvement.

Said Major Renea Peterson, Director of BSO Government Affairs, “Sheriff Tony started NST to bring community policing to all areas of Broward County, and also to build relationships with other police municipalities, working with other first responders to create positive working partnerships.”

NST, which is a unit of the Sheriff’s Office, with regional and district liaisons in each Broward County city patrolled by BSO, includes both sworn and civilian BSO staff who meet regularly with residents, faith leaders, business owners, school board officials, and other stakeholders.

In addition to hosting quarterly meetings and trainings, NST members partner with outside social services organizations to share resources with residents. One such organization, Sweet Dreams, provides beds to families that need them.

Another BSO community program is the Social Justice Task Force (SJTF), which collaborates with community activists and other stakeholders in the areas of education, dialogue, and advocacy. Through regular meetings held to address community concerns, SJTF enhances the transparency, communication, and accountability of the Broward Sheriff’s Office with county communities.

Community Connections Leave Lasting Impressions

Both the Neighborhood Support Team and the Social Justice Task Force have received strong support from the U.S. Department of Justice Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) through a funding grant called the Cultural Development and Awareness Program (CDAP).

Said Major Peterson, “The CDAP grant was crucial in helping BSO expand community policing within Broward County by funding overtime for personnel to attend additional community events. This gave us the ability to expand the reach of NST by hiring additional deputies from specialized units to attend community events.

“It allowed our law enforcement professionals to go beyond simply being present in the community by enabling them to spend quality time with residents while learning about all that exists within Broward County’s borders.

“The CDAP grant not only allowed people in various communities to be seen and heard, it also enabled them to see us as community members, mothers, fathers, sisters, and brothers, much like them. Community discussions teach us all about our mutual humanity.”

This commitment is at the heart of BSO’s mission – seen at events such as Voices for Children, where even small gestures like Detective Session’s, can leave a lasting impression on a child.

Faye C. Elkins
Sr. Technical Writer
COPS Office

Photo Courtesy of the Broward County Sheriff’s Office/ Daniel Gambarrotti.

Tweet