Scott Israel is an American Sheriff for Broward County who has been under scrutiny from the media regarding his failure to claim responsibility to the 18 warning calls he received about Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Shooter, Nikolas Cruz.

Scott J. Israel was born in the state of New York to a homicide homicide detective. He has been a long time resident of Fort Lauderdale, Florida where he lives with his family and children. He is the father of triplets named: Brett, Blake and Blair. He grew up being a fan of Martin Luther King Jr. and has adapted some of the concepts into his work such as "Genuine leaders don't search for consensus they mold consensus".

Israel once coached football at Stoneman Douglas and North Broward Preparatory Academy, and has been the head coach of the Coral Springs Chargers Tackle Football Team.

In 2008, he won a Brian Piccolo Coach of the Year award.

In 2008, he won a Brian Piccolo Coach of the Year award.

In 1977, Israel received his Bachelor's degree from Cortland State University. He then joined the FBI National Academy where he formed part of 112th session.

Along with his academic education, he has also been a part of several training programs.

He was a part of the Advanced Tactical Management for Commanders.

He is certified in WMD Incident Management/Unified Command SWAT Manager’s Advanced Course.

He is also a SWAT Supervisor’s Advanced Tactics and Management professional where he completed the work at the Southern Police Institute.

He is a graduate of Broward County institute of Criminal Justice in which he graduated with honors.

Israel joined the Fort Lauderdale Police Department as a patrol officer in the late 1970s and early 80s where he was a narcotics detective. From 1980 to 1986, he was a special problems officer. From 1986 to 1991 he was a patrol sergeant. From 1991 to 1993, he was a street level narcotic sergeant. From 1993 to 1995 he served the narcotic unit as a sergeant. From 1995 to 1996 he was the patrol captain. From 1996 to 1999 he was the community policing captain. He was also SWAT commander from 1999 to 2004.

He was elected the chief of police of North Bay Village Police Department, which lasted from 2004 to 2008.

In 2012, he was elected Sheriff of Broward County, and was re-elected in 2016.

Israel has historically been vocal concerning gun violence, opposing open-carry legislation and one law that would allow concealed weapons on campuses.

He began implementing body cameras for his deputies in 2016.

He was honored Dade County PBA “Chief of the Year,” in 2005.

He received recognition of appreciation for coordination of LE Response to FTAA, FDLE, in 2004.

Recognition of appreciation, USMS, 2001.

Turn Around Fort Lauderdale Citizen’s Award, 1997.

recognition of appreciation, USDEA, 1996.

Outstanding Recruit in Physical Achievement, Broward Police Academy, 1979.

Member of Violent Crime and Drug Control Council.

Southeast Regional Domestic Security Task Force.

Florida Sheriffs Association.

National Sheriffs’ Association.

Major County Sheriffs’ Association.

IACP, NOBLE, Miami-Dade County Chiefs of Police Association.

Florida Police Chiefs Association.

International Narcotic Enforcement Officers Association.

National and Florida Tactical Association.

Crime Prevention Coalition of America.

F.O.P., South Florida Shomrin Society, Florida Crime Prevention Association.

Founding member of the Broward SWAT Commander’s Association.

Sheriff Israel has been the center of controversy after he decided not to take responsibility for the 18 warning calls that he received in the department about the behavior concerning Nikolas Cruz. In an interview with CNN's Jake Tapper, he dismissed questions regarding the warning calls and has since been accused of ignoring the warning calls about Cruz. In his defense, he claims he has indeed placed one of his deputies under leave due to his lack of actions concerning the shooting. The deputy's name, Scot Peterson failed to enter the premises of the school and apprehend Cruz.

Israel says the following about Deputy Peterson - he should have “went in.

Addressed the killer.

Killed the killer.”

The Sheriff placed two other deputies under investigation for their handling of possible warnings about the shooter, Nikolas Cruz.

As of yet, Sheriff Israel has not resigned, and according to the media, he refuses to resign.