In a historic ceremony Tuesday morning, Rosie Cordero-Stutz became the first person in more than six decades to be sworn in as Miami-Dade County sheriff.
The event, held at 10 a.m. at the Miami Dade College School of Justice, marked the return of the position, which had been abolished in 1966.
“I am deeply humbled by the trust bestowed upon me to initiate this new chapter in our community,” said Cordero-Stutz. “I am also keenly aware of the significant responsibility and challenges. I stand before you ready to lead as Miami-Dade County sheriff.”
The reinstatement of the sheriff’s office comes after voters approved Amendment 10 in 2018, which mandated the return of sheriffs in Florida counties where the position had been absorbed into other governmental structures. In Miami-Dade, the role had been eliminated amid corruption scandals, with law enforcement leadership placed under the mayor’s control.
Cordero-Stutz, a Republican, won the election with 56% of the vote, defeating Democrat James Reyes. Her campaign received key endorsements, including from former President Donald Trump, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, and the Fraternal Order of Police.
Following her victory, Cordero-Stutz announced that the Miami-Dade Police Department would be renamed the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office as part of the transition.
A career spanning nearly three decades
Rosie Cordero-Stutz brings almost 30 years of experience with the Miami-Dade Police Department (MDPD). She began her career as a patrol officer and rose through the ranks, serving in roles that included investigating robberies and homicides. Most recently, she held the position of Assistant Director of Investigative Services at MDPD.
Her priorities as sheriff include increasing the number of uniformed officers on the streets, addressing corruption among elected officials, and expanding the county’s Traffic Unit. “First and foremost is ensuring that we have the right budget to serve this community from day one,” she said after her election win.
During the swearing-in ceremony, her husband, retired Miami-Dade police officer Kurt Stutz, pinned the official sheriff’s badge onto her uniform. The event also included the retirement of the MDPD flag and the unveiling of the new sheriff’s flag.
“I really felt the joy of stepping into the role of sheriff and seeing my friends and family and the joy in their faces,” said Cordero-Stutz. “My primary goal is to listen to what my community is asking.”
As Miami-Dade County’s first sheriff in more than half a century, Cordero-Stutz begins her tenure with a focus on restoring public trust and building a department that reflects the needs of the community.
