Broward County commissioners subpoenaed in probe tied to airport police study
Key Points(5)
- The subpoenas are reportedly related to the county’s exploration into a new police force at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport and Port Everglades.
- In May, Broward County commissioners held one of several scheduled workshops as they considered whether to start an in-house airport police agency in lieu of the Broward Sheriff’s Office.
- BSO has patrolled Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport since 1996.
- Several Florida airports, including those in Tampa, Sarasota and Fort Myers, have in-house police departments.
- A company contracted by the county tells commissioners that airports that have their own departments have more control over day-to-day operations, and it is financially feasible, but many more studies need to be done.
Broward County commissioners and several senior county officials have been subpoenaed as part of a state investigation reportedly connected to the county’s consideration of creating its own police force for Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport and Port Everglades.
The Broward Sheriff’s Office confirmed Thursday that it began serving subpoenas Wednesday, Sept. 9, at the request of Florida’s Office of Statewide Prosecution.
“At the request of Florida’s Office of Statewide Prosecution, the Broward Sheriff’s Office began serving subpoenas on Sept. 9, 2026, on the entire Broward County Commission, county administrator, deputy county administrator and several other senior ranking members of the County Administration. For any follow up questions, please contact the Attorney General‘s Office of Statewide Prosecution about its investigation,” BSO said in a statement.
The subpoenas are reportedly related to the county’s review of law enforcement operations at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport and Port Everglades, including a feasibility study examining the possibility of establishing an in-house police agency.
The South Florida Sun Sentinel obtained a copy of an email sent Wednesday afternoon by acting County Attorney Annika Ashton to the County Commission. According to the newspaper, Ashton said subpoenas had been issued to all commissioners as well as some members of the County Administration, County Attorney’s Office and Broward County Aviation Department.
The subpoenas concern “an apparent investigation by the Office of Statewide Prosecution relating to the Jensen Hughes feasibility study,” Ashton wrote, according to the Sun Sentinel.
The Sun Sentinel also reported that Broward sheriff’s deputies served subpoenas Wednesday afternoon on the current and former mayors of the County Commission. Mayor Mark Bogen confirmed that he and Commissioner Beam Furr received subpoenas and forwarded them to the County Attorney’s Office.
Commissioner Nan Rich also confirmed during Thursday morning’s County Commission meeting that she had been served.
The investigation comes as Broward County considers whether to establish an in-house police department to provide law enforcement services at the airport and Port Everglades.
In May, county commissioners held one of several planned workshops on the proposal, which could result in the county replacing the Broward Sheriff’s Office with its own police agency at the facilities.
BSO has provided law enforcement services at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport since 1996.
Several other Florida airports, including those serving Tampa, Sarasota and Fort Myers, operate with their own police departments.
A company contracted by Broward County to examine the proposal previously told commissioners that airports with their own police departments can have greater control over day-to-day law enforcement operations and that creating such a department could be financially feasible. However, commissioners were also told that additional study would be needed before a decision could be made.
Authorities have not publicly disclosed whether any individual is suspected of wrongdoing or what specific conduct is being examined. The Office of Statewide Prosecution is continuing its investigation.
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