Over the last 60 years of Miami history, Miami Dade has not had a sheriff to lead the law enforcement office. Recently, Rosie Cordero-Stutz took on the role of becoming Miami’s top police officer for the next four years and is the first woman ever to hold the position.

Cordero-Stutz worked for many years to achieve this position. Since 1996, she has been involved in law enforcement, serving her community in various assignments, investigations, operations, management, etc., gradually increasing her status and gaining the trust of the people she has served for the last 28 years. 

Cordero has stated that she has dedicated her life to the safety and well-being of her community and will continue to preserve the safety of its residents and visitors while maintaining the highest standards for law enforcement. 

On Aug. 20, 2024, voters headed to the polls to select the Republican and Democratic Sheriff candidates: Republican Cordero-Stutz, and Democrat James Reyes. Cordero-Stutz won the Sheriff position with 55% of the vote, defeating Reyes, and was told she would be taking office on Jan. 7.

For the last six decades, Miami Dade has been led by a police director who had to be appointed by the mayor. This began in Miami in the 1960s because of corruption allegations from former Sheriff, Talmadge A. Buchana. These allegations led the people to abolish the sheriff’s position completely. The county has been led by a police director ever since and granted Miami Dade the only county in Florida where the mayor had this responsibility.

Now that Miami Dade is bringing back the sheriff position, residents should keep in mind when it is their time to vote for the head of their county’s law enforcement and for who deserves to hold the position. Every four years a new sheriff is elected by the people, which determines the overall outcome of the safety of its residents.