Broward Sheriff Dismisses Criticism Over Deputy’s Response Time to FL Shooting: ‘Not My Responsibility’

Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel, who has been under immense criticism over reports that several deputies did not engage the Parkland, Florida shooter as he carried out his massacre, deflected from claims that he should have done more to stop the shooting by saying it was officer at the scene’s responsibility, not his.

While Israel has stated that he will go along with an official state investigation into his officers questionable response time to the shooting, he added the following in defense of his own reputation:

“Leaders are responsible for the agency, but leaders are not responsible for a person. I gave him a gun. I gave him a badge. I gave him the training. If he didn’t have the heart to go in, that’s not my responsibility.”

Additionally, Israel noted that his office is preparing for the investigation. “We are preparing to take statements from Coral Springs police officers, who allegedly are going to make statements about our deputies or some deputies, two or three deputies not doing what they’re supposed to do,” said Israel.

He continued: “We will find the truth. If the deputies did nothing wrong, then we move forward. If the deputies made mistakes, I’ll act accordingly and handle it appropriately as I did with former Deputy Peterson.”

Despite the school shooting, which left 17 dead, and the 73 signatures from GOP state legislatures asking for his resignation, the sheriff said he does not plan on stepping down from his position.

Watch above, via NBC.

[images via screengrab]

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