MIAMI - Miami-Dade Republican sheriff candidate Rosie Cordero-Stutz recently emphasized the importance of having a "voice" in policing and working with Democrat Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, if she is elected as the county's first sheriff in nearly 60 years.
"Ultimately, we see what happens when too much power gets given to one person. I think that Miami-Dade County being the largest county in the state of Florida has a large voice. We should have a large voice in public safety in this state," Cordero-Stutz told The Floridian.
Miami-Dade has had an appointed "police director" since 1966, a position Cordero-Stutz believes has long "diminished" the voice of the county. In 2018, Florida voters restored the elected sheriff position after passing Amendment 10.
The amendment also prohibited counties from transferring the sheriff’s duties to another
officer or office.
Cordero-Stutz added giving the county a voice was also important at the state level legislatively for "health and community safety."
"Ultimately we each have our clear, defined responsibilities. Establishing a professional office of sheriff is exactly just that," Cordero-Stutz said. "We will continue to work professionally. They have their responsibilities, but the sheriff has the responsibility to keep the safety of this community, and I plan on making sure that they hold up their end of the bargain."
Endorsed by former President Donald Trump, Cordero-Stutz has been with the Miami-Dade Police Department for over 28 years. While moving up in rank over that period, Cordero-Stutz currently works as Assistant Director of Investigative Services for the department.
Included in her priorities, Cordero-Stutz promised enhancing patrols and having more officers protecting citizens in the county if elected. She also vowed establishing a "robust anti-corruption unit" to work with our state attorney's office.
Furthermore, Cordero-Stutz hoped the partnership with the state would complete good investigations and produce highly trained investigators and prosecutors to help make more cases "come to fruition." She also vowed to address the response of mental crises calls and support officer's mental wellness.
Running against Democrat James Reyes, the Miami-Dade Sheriff election is scheduled for Nov. 5.
