The Governmental Operations Bureau consists of three divisions: Court Services, Emergency Management, and Air Operations. It is a large multidisciplinary organization providing operational, strategic, and tactical capabilities, including: courthouse, courtroom, and special contract facilities security services; all-hazards and emergency management planning, training, and coordination, including Southeast Florida Regional All-Hazards Incident Management Team and Florida Sheriffs Association Forward Operating Team personnel; and airport security services and responses, which significantly multiply our agency’s abilities, capacities, and resources.
Court Services provides liaison and coordination with the 15th Judicial Circuit Court Administrator, in conjunction with the Chief Judge, state attorney, and public defender; courtroom and courthouse security at five campuses throughout the county, including the management of over a 73-member private security force, as well as, security for the Palm Beach County Governmental Center, Office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller, Office of the Public Defender, and Office of State Attorney.
Emergency Management staff provides guidance, expertise, and support for a wide range of all-hazards issues. It recommends policies, procedures, and protocols to ensure a comprehensive all-hazards program exists. It maintains collaborative partnerships and close coordination with municipal, other counties, state, and federal agencies, as well as, the Southeast Florida Domestic Security Task Force and Florida National Guard, especially during national, state, and/or local states of emergency. It carries out many of these functions as a lead agency by operating the Emergency Support Function-16 Unit (Law Enforcement & Security) at the Palm Beach County Emergency Operations Center. The division provides program management and trained personnel for the Southeast Florida Regional All-hazards Incident Management Team and Florida Sheriffs Association Forward Operating Team. Lastly, pursuant to the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act, it maintains executive oversight and coordination for the Palm Beach County Charter Schools Code Red (Emergency) Drills Program.
Air Operations provides law enforcement services to the over 8.5 million annual travelers and tenants at the Palm Beach International Airport. By contractual means, the Airport Division provides law enforcement security, dignitary protection, explosive and narcotics canine services and traffic control for passenger pick up and drop off. The Airport Division works with the Palm Beach County Department of Airports and with all federal partners associated with the airport to help provide a safe and secure environment for everyone. These federal partners include Transportation Security Administration (TSA), FBI, U.S. Secret Service (USSS), Federal Air Marshals and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
