A second union representing law enforcement deputies said they would support Broward Co. Sheriff Scott Israel after the country’s largest union representing deputies called for a vote of no confidence against the sheriff, WPLG Local 10 reported.
The president of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge No. 53, Eddison Ricketts, wrote Israel on Saturday to assure him the union supports him.
“I want to reassure you that we have complete confidence in your abilities to lead the Broward Sheriff’s Office today and beyond,” Ricketts said, according to the news outlet.
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The Broward Sheriff’s Office Deputies Association — which represents a majority of the county’s 2,560 certified deputies — called for the vote of no confidence against Israel for his handling of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas shooting in February that left 17 people dead.
Israel, who has been widely criticized for his department’s failure to prevent the shooting after numerous warning signs, has said that he demonstrated “amazing leadership.”
He also passed the blame for the response to the incident to one of his deputies who did not enter the building where the school shooter was carrying out his attack.
The vote of no confidence began on Friday and will continue until Thursday, according to CNN.