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“Culture Of Fear:”Second Police Union Denounces Plan To Terminate Ten BSO Deputies And Sergeants, References Broward Sheriff Gregory Tony’s Checkered Past

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A second police union denounced the Broward Sheriff’s Office (BSO) recommendations to terminate ten deputies and sergeants claiming it is creating a “culture of fear” in the department. The BSO Fraternal Order Of Police (FOP) Lodge 200 claims the recommendations of the Professional Standard Committee, to terminate ten deputies and suspend others for fifteen days, violates the due process rights of its members.

Last week, REDBROWARD was first to report on the PSC recommendations stemming from an investigation into the February murders of Mary Gingles, David Ponzer and Andrew Ferrin.

At the time, Broward Sheriff Gregory Tony promised heads would roll over the handling of the case.

In a July 12, 2025 letter, BSO FOP president Hector Fajardo referenced Sheriff Tony’s own issues with criminal and disciplinary matters.

“It is deeply concerning that these decisions are being made under the leadership of Sheriff Gregory Tony, who himself has previously benefited from due process in both criminal and administrative matters,” Fajardo wrote. “It is disheartening to see this fundamental right seemingly denied to the very individuals who serve and protect our communities daily.”

Fajardo said these punitive actions are “fostering a culture of fear within the agency—where deputies may hesitate in critical moments for fear of reprisal—ultimately undermining public safety….”

BSO FOP wants BSO leadership to rescind these recommendations and allow deputies to present their sides of the case.

Union Blasts BSO Recommendation To Fire Ten Deputies And Sergeants

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Union officials blasted recommendations to fire ten Broward Sheriff’s Office (BSO) deputies over a Tamarac triple homicide. The International Union Of Police Associations (IUPA) Local 6020 condemned the recommendations made by the BSO Professional Standards Committee to terminate the deputies in a letter Friday afternoon. Earlier this week, REDBROWARD first reported the PSC findings from its investigation to deputies conduct surrounding the murders of Mary Gingles, David Ponzer and Andrew Ferrin in February 2025.

In its letter, Union president Dan Rakofsky blasted “this biased disciplinary process and this scapegoating of our members in the pursuit of public relations goals.” He said the deputies’ due process rights were continuously violated due to a February press conference by Sheriff Gregory Tony.

“These excessive punishments demonstrate an overreaction by the Sheriff, where gaps in the agency’s capabilities have been exposed, along with many systemic and institutional processes in need of better oversight and/or revision,” Rakofsky said. “Employees who have dedicated their lives to protecting this community throughout their police careers have been sacrificed as political cover for the failures of the systems and processes of the agency at large.”

“This is an overreaction for public effect that does nothing to prevent the next tragedy. The termination of many of these heroes does nothing to make the people of Broward County safer,” he said.

Rakofsky vowed to vigorously defend his members as this process continues.