As the City of Deerfield Beach considers whether to renew its contract with the Broward Sheriff’s Office, the city manager and the county’s chief law enforcement officer each claim the other is stepping outside their boundaries to score political points with false accusations.
City Manager Rodney Brimlow is a former employee of the Broward Sheriff’s Office, a position that gives him unique insight in determining whether the law enforcement agency is best suited to meet the city’s law enforcement needs.
In a virtual meeting held last Thursday, Broward Sheriff Gregory Tony said he tried to explain to members of the Broward Sheriff’s Office Law Enforcement and Fire Rescue divisions serving the Deerfield Beach District that Brimlow was circulating misinformation about the cost of the city’s contract with the Sheriff’s Office compared with the benefits of falling under BSO’s jurisdiction.
“Mr. Brimlow knowingly and intentionally provided the Deerfield Beach City Commission with misinformation that will ultimately force the commission into making an uninformed decision that will be detrimental to the residents of Deerfield Beach,” Tony said, according to a statement he provided to the South Florida Sun Sentinel.
Political disputes are common between city agencies and those that provide their essential services, but the statements made about Brimlow by the sheriff led someone to complain that his criticism crossed the line separating criticism from physical threats.
Brimlow denied being the source of the complaint, but the Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating, according to the sheriff.
“In a desperate and cowardly act, Mr. Brimlow filed a false police report to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement alleging he was threatened by me and now is in fear for his life,” Tony said. “While my language was direct and candid, it was in the context of speaking with seasoned public safety professionals who serve the community with courage and sacrifice. My message was one of support and advocacy.”
Tony issued a veiled threat to charge Brimlow with giving false information to law enforcement.
“Mr. Brimlow should be terminated immediately for such corrupt practices and unwarranted conduct,” he said.
Brimlow denied filing any complaint with anyone, but did not deny that anyone else had complained on his behalf.
“I did not file a false police report nor provide false information to any law enforcement organization or officer regarding Sheriff Gregory Tony,” he said. “Furthermore, I have not misrepresented any information to my Commission … While Sheriff Tony continues to attack my character and make false allegations, the reality is that he failed to meet the obligations of an existing contract for police and fire services.”
The Sheriff’s Office is struggling to maintain its relationship with Deerfield and Pompano Beach, two North Broward municipalities with more than 200,000 residents between them. The Broward Sheriff’s Office currently provides law enforcement service to 14 cities in Broward County.
Rafael Olmeda can be reached at rolmeda@sunsentinel.com or 954-356-4457.