Politics

Lamberti Faces 5 Challengers For Sheriff's Job

FORT LAUDERDALE (CBS4) ― When former Broward Sheriff Ken Jenne went from the county's top cop to prisoner after a corruption case, it sent the sheriff's office into a tailspin.

Appointed by Governor Charlie Crist to takes the reigns, at least temporarily, Al Lamberti is now hoping voters will elect him to the position on a more permanent basis. He's the Republican candidate, he has the backing of the police benevolent association and now he faces 5 democratic challengers who want the job.

Click Here to learn more about Al Lamberti.

"I am currently the state commissioner for human and civil rights," said Shak Dhanji.

A Pompano Beach businessman, Dhanji says he does not believe in the "hook'em and book'em" approach to law enforcement. He said if elected his goals would include the enhancement of community policing, hate crime prevention, increased port security and provide more school resource officers. He says the position of sheriff is not a "gun and badge" job.

"Every time some one says you need a cop in this position, I always like to reference Bob Butterworth. He wasn't a cop, but was arguably the best sheriff this county has ever had," said Dhanji. "Most of this department is about public safety, not just exclusively about law enforcement."

Click Here to learn more about Shak Dhanji.

Also throwing his hat in the ring for the sheriff's position is North Bay Village Police Chief Scott Israel. He was not available to speak to CBS4. Israel's campaign says if elected he would strengthen community partnerships and take a comprehensive approach to public safety.

Click Here to learn more about Scott Israel.

"My current position is assistant city manager for the City of Hollywood," said Rick Lemack, who at one time was second in command at the Hollywood Police Department.

Lemack says his goals include working with the BSO budget, addressing the crime rate, the safety of BSO deputies and accountability.

"There has definitely been a disconnect," said Lemack. "From a leadership standpoint, the organization has to reconnect with the community. They have to be sure that somebody with my budget and finance background, I want to be sure that the reduction in revenue does not reduce the essential services that are being provided."

Click Here to learn more about Rick Lemack.

Democratic challenger Wiley Thompson is relying on decades of experience to garner a win.

"I'm currently retired," said Thompson, "(but I was) assistant director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Washington D.C."

Thompson, who has both FBI and BSO experience, said his goals are to restore public confidence, improve 911 response time and put more deputies on the streets.

"I'm in my 4th decade of public safety experience," said Thompson, "I bring executive leadership experience from around America. I was formerly second in command of this agency (BSO) and third in command of the FBI worldwide. I am by far the most qualified and experienced leader for BSO."

Click Here to learn more about Wiley Thompson.

The final candidate for the position wants to bring integrity back to the department.

"I was chief of the public integrity corruption section," says attorney Bruce Udolf.

A former district attorney and assistant U.S. attorney, Udolf says his goals include restoring public confidence and integrity at BSO. Udolf said BSO is need of moral leadership and under his command there would be change from the top down.

"There needs to be someone at the top that sets the moral standard for that agency and I have a career devoted to public integrity issues, to prosecuting public integrity and I have a record and reputation of having a moral backbone.

Click Here to learn more about Bruce Udolf.

Click Here to see a sample Broward ballot for the August 26th primary.

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