Col. Nichole Anderson, the Broward Sheriff’s Office’s first Black female undersheriff, was abruptly ousted from the agency’s No. 2 job this week as Sheriff Gregory Tony reshuffled his top brass and installed Col. Steve Robson in her place. Anderson, a BSO veteran since 1996 who had served as undersheriff since 2019, was removed as part of a leadership shakeup announced at a ceremony in Davie. So far, the agency has not offered a clear public explanation for the decision.
What the sheriff said
According to Local 10, Tony framed the move as one piece of broader “structural organizational changes” meant to improve services, and said Robson would immediately take on undersheriff duties. Local 10 also obtained Anderson’s separation form, which states that her “services (were) no longer needed” and notes that no charges are pending.
How it unfolded
Per CBS Miami, Anderson learned she was out in a brief phone call after Tony left a Pompano Beach commission meeting where he had just spoken about the city’s policing contract with BSO. The timing did not go unnoticed, coming as Pompano Beach weighs whether to stick with BSO or launch its own police department.
Staff shake-up and rumors
Florida Bulldog reports that Anderson’s civilian aide, Sharon Hayes, and her driver, Capt. Jamie Smith, were also removed, and that by midday Anderson’s photo and biography had disappeared from BSO’s executive staff webpage. The outlet quoted ranking police sources who claimed Tony may have been irritated by chatter that Anderson was eyeing a 2028 run for sheriff, a scenario the sheriff’s office has not confirmed.
Anderson's record
Anderson’s promotion to undersheriff in September 2019 was hailed inside the agency as a milestone. BSO’s 2019 release noted she was the first African American woman to hold the post, after rising through district and command ranks. That release and later coverage highlighted her long tenure and credentials, including graduation from the FBI National Academy.
Who steps in
Tony tapped Col. Steve Robson, a longtime BSO commander who has overseen preparedness and special operations units, to slide into the undersheriff role. Pointing to Robson’s track record, Tony said Robson was the right fit. “His integrity is unquestionable and I invest in him this responsibility without any hesitation or doubt,” the sheriff said at the Davie ceremony, according to Local 10.
What's next
The sudden ouster of BSO’s second-in-command leaves residents and local officials with plenty of unanswered questions as contract and policing debates roll on. Community leaders are watching to see whether the agency offers more details or if elected officials push for additional transparency. Tony has said he will “go through the process” before saying more publicly, and officials are continuing to review recent use-of-force incidents involving BSO deputies, according to CBS Miami.
