Rosie Cordero-Stutz sworn in as new Miami-Dade sheriff
MIAMI - For the first time in more than 50 years, Miami-Dade's law enforcement office will be led by a sheriff.
Tuesday morning, Rosie Cordero-Stutz took the oath of office to become the county's top cop for the next four years. She made history as the county's first Hispanic female sheriff.
"Today, as we close the Miami-Dade Police Department, we recognize the department's commitment to protect our community for the past 60 years, adapting to changes, understanding our rich diversity and committed to protecting, to protect and to defend those core values that make Miami-Dade uniquely unique," Cordero-Stutz said after being sworn in.
"As a new sheriff of Miami Dade, I will build on that history, implement needed reform swiftly, make certain every corner of this county is safe, and establish an office of the sheriff that reflects, and honors, the hard work, sacrifice, integrity and principles of the great people I've been entrusted to serve and protect," she added.
Last November, Cordero-Stutz defeated Democratic nominee James Reyes for the position. Before winning the election, she worked her way up from street cop serving in top positions in several divisions over a career spanning 28 years.
During her comments at the swearing-in ceremony, Cordero-Stutz said the community will be core in administration.
"I am greatly aware that the success of this new office must be rooted in community bonds that require nourishment through accessibility, transparency, constant dialogue and honest feedback," said Cordero-Stutz.
Along with a new sheriff, the name of the county's law enforcement agency will change to the Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office. The Miami-Dade Police Department will no longer exist.
Sheriff vs. police director
There are a few differences between a police director and a sheriff.
For the last six decades, the county's police director has been appointed by the mayor. With an elected sheriff, they will be chosen by the people for a four-year term.
The last elected sheriff in Miami-Dade, Talmadge A. Buchanan, was removed amid corruption allegations in the 1960s, leading voters to abolish the elected position. Since then, the county operated with an appointed police director as the county mayor wielded the power of sheriff. Miami-Dade was the only county in Florida where the mayor had dual responsibility.
A constitutional amendment required that Miami-Dade elect a sheriff this year.
Since she was elected, Sheriff Cordero-Stutz will not answer to the mayor and will be independent while leading the county's 3,200 sworn officers and managing a $1.2 billion budget.
In Florida, the elected sheriff oversees law enforcement, jail operations, court security and legal processes, and appoints deputies, acting as the county's top law enforcement official.
