Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel may soon be out of a job.
The head of BSO's union, Jeff Bell, confirmed to NBC 6 that Israel told staff he "expects to be removed in the near future" over the department’s response of the Parkland shooting.
Newly inaugurated Gov. Ron DeSantis has not made a formal announcement of Israel's removal. He has previously said on the campaign trail he would have already removed Israel, but a source told NBC 6 the governor's office has not made any contact with the sheriff.
The sheriff's lawyer, Stuart Kaplan, told NBC 6 they have not heard from the governor and Israel will continue to serve the community for the time being.
"In the last 48 hours we have monitored some of the soundbites that have come from the governor...now governor DeSantis himself and obviously it has led us to some speculation as to what, if anything, he may be thinking," Kaplan said. "But as far as any official notification, we have received no official word whatsoever from the governor's office as to any position the governor may have on removing or suspending Sheriff Scott Israel."
The Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School safety commission has heavily criticized Israel's active shooter policy, saying it contributed to the failure of some deputies to run into the building and confront the gunman during the Feb. 14 shooting that left 17 dead.
The policy stated that deputies "may" confront active shooters. Israel released a letter late December outlining the changes in the department, including the active shooter policy.
