This was posted on BSO forum.

Hey FLPD! Is this BS true? Feel for you guys. Not much better in green & white. I know...I was Pompano.


During his almost three year tenure as Fort Lauderdale’s City Manger, George Grestas has had ample opportunity to demonstrate both his arrogance and incompetence. The incident in which a BSO deputy shot and killed murder suspect Michael Taylor allowed Grestas to demonstrate these qualities once again. However, this incident revealed yet another facet of his personality: cowardice.

Grestas was furious that the Broward Sheriff’s Office had the nerve to come into “his city” and shoot a murder suspect who was shooting at police officers. He has been trying desperately to appease the black community in Fort Lauderdale and BSO’s act of self defense was, in his view, counter productive. To compound the problem, from Grestas’s perspective, BSO deputies had the bad taste to arrest Fort Lauderdale citizens who attacked them. All of this was almost more than he could bear since he has no control over BSO.

In the aftermath of Michael Taylor’s death, many members of the community in which he lived threatened to kill police officers in retaliation.“They took one of ours. We are going to take one of theirs” was the rallying cry heard in Taylor’s neighborhood. Grestas’s response to this direct challenge to law enforcement was to run away. He absolutely prohibited Fort Lauderdale Police Officers to respond to any type of call that was received from that part of the city (the west end of South Middle River Terrace HOA). In the weekend that followed Taylor’s death, there were large parties in that area to commemorate it. FLPD received dozens of calls requesting a police response to quell the disturbances, but they were all denied. Even when partygoers began to shoot off firearms in residential neighborhoods George Grestas refused to allow police to respond to the citizen’s calls for help. The same situation occurred this Friday night following Taylor’s wake. All of this is documented in FLPD’s recorded 911 calls and radio transmissions. Assuming Grestas has not had them erased.

George Grestas then proceeds to take this disgraceful situation and make it worse. He has ordered Fort Lauderdale Police Officers to provide an escort for Talyor’s funeral procession as well as traffic direction and security for the funeral itself. This is in direct contradiction to written FLPD policy which forbids funeral escorts. In other words, FLPD cannot provide escorts for the funeral processions of law abiding citizens. Nor can they even provide escorts for members of the US military killed in action. However, George Grestas believes it to be perfectly acceptable to provide a police escort to a murder suspect who shot at police officers as well as provide security to his family and friends who are threatening to kill police officers. A reasonable citizen might pose the question,“what is next?” Will he have the FLPD Honor Guard fire a 21 gun salute as a send off to the man just convicted of murdering BSO Deputy Fatta?

If Grestas is so concerned about a confrontation between FLPD and Taylor’s entourage, why is he making them attend the funeral when emotions will run the highest?

Under the leadership of George Grestas the Fort Lauderdale Police Department has reached an all time low. Many FLPD officers have expressed outrage, embarrassment, and shame for having to participate in this farce that Grestas has forced upon them. They are concerned about how other law enforcement agencies will perceive their participation in Taylor’s funeral. If Grestas had any credibility left with FLPD it is surely gone now.

And where is FLPD’s leadership during all this? The Chiefs, Majors, and Captains? They are all standing by in silence; a silence which is deafening to the men and women serving under their command. A truly sad day at FLPD.

I was just going to post the same thing but you beat me to it. I think all local police unions should join together to ask for this guys resignation.

Hey FLPD! Is this BS true? Feel for you guys. Not much better in green & white. I know...I was Pompano.


During his almost three year tenure as Fort Lauderdale’s City Manger, George Grestas has had ample opportunity to demonstrate both his arrogance and incompetence. The incident in which a BSO deputy shot and killed murder suspect Michael Taylor allowed Grestas to demonstrate these qualities once again. However, this incident revealed yet another facet of his personality: cowardice.

Grestas was furious that the Broward Sheriff’s Office had the nerve to come into “his city” and shoot a murder suspect who was shooting at police officers. He has been trying desperately to appease the black community in Fort Lauderdale and BSO’s act of self defense was, in his view, counter productive. To compound the problem, from Grestas’s perspective, BSO deputies had the bad taste to arrest Fort Lauderdale citizens who attacked them. All of this was almost more than he could bear since he has no control over BSO.

In the aftermath of Michael Taylor’s death, many members of the community in which he lived threatened to kill police officers in retaliation.“They took one of ours. We are going to take one of theirs” was the rallying cry heard in Taylor’s neighborhood. Grestas’s response to this direct challenge to law enforcement was to run away. He absolutely prohibited Fort Lauderdale Police Officers to respond to any type of call that was received from that part of the city (the west end of South Middle River Terrace HOA). In the weekend that followed Taylor’s death, there were large parties in that area to commemorate it. FLPD received dozens of calls requesting a police response to quell the disturbances, but they were all denied. Even when partygoers began to shoot off firearms in residential neighborhoods George Grestas refused to allow police to respond to the citizen’s calls for help. The same situation occurred this Friday night following Taylor’s wake. All of this is documented in FLPD’s recorded 911 calls and radio transmissions. Assuming Grestas has not had them erased.

George Grestas then proceeds to take this disgraceful situation and make it worse. He has ordered Fort Lauderdale Police Officers to provide an escort for Talyor’s funeral procession as well as traffic direction and security for the funeral itself. This is in direct contradiction to written FLPD policy which forbids funeral escorts. In other words, FLPD cannot provide escorts for the funeral processions of law abiding citizens. Nor can they even provide escorts for members of the US military killed in action. However, George Grestas believes it to be perfectly acceptable to provide a police escort to a murder suspect who shot at police officers as well as provide security to his family and friends who are threatening to kill police officers. A reasonable citizen might pose the question,“what is next?” Will he have the FLPD Honor Guard fire a 21 gun salute as a send off to the man just convicted of murdering BSO Deputy Fatta?

If Grestas is so concerned about a confrontation between FLPD and Taylor’s entourage, why is he making them attend the funeral when emotions will run the highest?

Under the leadership of George Grestas the Fort Lauderdale Police Department has reached an all time low. Many FLPD officers have expressed outrage, embarrassment, and shame for having to participate in this farce that Grestas has forced upon them. They are concerned about how other law enforcement agencies will perceive their participation in Taylor’s funeral. If Grestas had any credibility left with FLPD it is surely gone now.

And where is FLPD’s leadership during all this? The Chiefs, Majors, and Captains? They are all standing by in silence; a silence which is deafening to the men and women serving under their command. A truly sad day at FLPD.

Pompano was horrible! The city never supported us either. BSO has a great potential, just a certain Sheriff keeps holding them back.

Hey FLPD! Is this BS true? Feel for you guys. Not much better in green & white. I know...I was Pompano.


During his almost three year tenure as Fort Lauderdale’s City Manger, George Grestas has had ample opportunity to demonstrate both his arrogance and incompetence. The incident in which a BSO deputy shot and killed murder suspect Michael Taylor allowed Grestas to demonstrate these qualities once again. However, this incident revealed yet another facet of his personality: cowardice.

Grestas was furious that the Broward Sheriff’s Office had the nerve to come into “his city” and shoot a murder suspect who was shooting at police officers. He has been trying desperately to appease the black community in Fort Lauderdale and BSO’s act of self defense was, in his view, counter productive. To compound the problem, from Grestas’s perspective, BSO deputies had the bad taste to arrest Fort Lauderdale citizens who attacked them. All of this was almost more than he could bear since he has no control over BSO.

In the aftermath of Michael Taylor’s death, many members of the community in which he lived threatened to kill police officers in retaliation.“They took one of ours. We are going to take one of theirs” was the rallying cry heard in Taylor’s neighborhood. Grestas’s response to this direct challenge to law enforcement was to run away. He absolutely prohibited Fort Lauderdale Police Officers to respond to any type of call that was received from that part of the city (the west end of South Middle River Terrace HOA). In the weekend that followed Taylor’s death, there were large parties in that area to commemorate it. FLPD received dozens of calls requesting a police response to quell the disturbances, but they were all denied. Even when partygoers began to shoot off firearms in residential neighborhoods George Grestas refused to allow police to respond to the citizen’s calls for help. The same situation occurred this Friday night following Taylor’s wake. All of this is documented in FLPD’s recorded 911 calls and radio transmissions. Assuming Grestas has not had them erased.

George Grestas then proceeds to take this disgraceful situation and make it worse. He has ordered Fort Lauderdale Police Officers to provide an escort for Talyor’s funeral procession as well as traffic direction and security for the funeral itself. This is in direct contradiction to written FLPD policy which forbids funeral escorts. In other words, FLPD cannot provide escorts for the funeral processions of law abiding citizens. Nor can they even provide escorts for members of the US military killed in action. However, George Grestas believes it to be perfectly acceptable to provide a police escort to a murder suspect who shot at police officers as well as provide security to his family and friends who are threatening to kill police officers. A reasonable citizen might pose the question,“what is next?” Will he have the FLPD Honor Guard fire a 21 gun salute as a send off to the man just convicted of murdering BSO Deputy Fatta?

If Grestas is so concerned about a confrontation between FLPD and Taylor’s entourage, why is he making them attend the funeral when emotions will run the highest?

Under the leadership of George Grestas the Fort Lauderdale Police Department has reached an all time low. Many FLPD officers have expressed outrage, embarrassment, and shame for having to participate in this farce that Grestas has forced upon them. They are concerned about how other law enforcement agencies will perceive their participation in Taylor’s funeral. If Grestas had any credibility left with FLPD it is surely gone now.

And where is FLPD’s leadership during all this? The Chiefs, Majors, and Captains? They are all standing by in silence; a silence which is deafening to the men and women serving under their command. A truly sad day at FLPD.

Pompano was horrible! The city never supported us either. BSO has a great potential, just a certain Sheriff keeps holding them back.

Dont get me wrong. I dont want to go back. Better pay, benifits, equipment, and opportunities with BSO. But you have to admit that we at least did police work. When I was a kid with Pompano police work mattered. Now its about taking care of myself and my friends. Screw the animals in Pompano or any where else.

Hey FLPD! Is this BS true? Feel for you guys. Not much better in green & white. I know...I was Pompano.


During his almost three year tenure as Fort Lauderdale’s City Manger, George Grestas has had ample opportunity to demonstrate both his arrogance and incompetence. The incident in which a BSO deputy shot and killed murder suspect Michael Taylor allowed Grestas to demonstrate these qualities once again. However, this incident revealed yet another facet of his personality: cowardice.

Grestas was furious that the Broward Sheriff’s Office had the nerve to come into “his city” and shoot a murder suspect who was shooting at police officers. He has been trying desperately to appease the black community in Fort Lauderdale and BSO’s act of self defense was, in his view, counter productive. To compound the problem, from Grestas’s perspective, BSO deputies had the bad taste to arrest Fort Lauderdale citizens who attacked them. All of this was almost more than he could bear since he has no control over BSO.

In the aftermath of Michael Taylor’s death, many members of the community in which he lived threatened to kill police officers in retaliation.“They took one of ours. We are going to take one of theirs” was the rallying cry heard in Taylor’s neighborhood. Grestas’s response to this direct challenge to law enforcement was to run away. He absolutely prohibited Fort Lauderdale Police Officers to respond to any type of call that was received from that part of the city (the west end of South Middle River Terrace HOA). In the weekend that followed Taylor’s death, there were large parties in that area to commemorate it. FLPD received dozens of calls requesting a police response to quell the disturbances, but they were all denied. Even when partygoers began to shoot off firearms in residential neighborhoods George Grestas refused to allow police to respond to the citizen’s calls for help. The same situation occurred this Friday night following Taylor’s wake. All of this is documented in FLPD’s recorded 911 calls and radio transmissions. Assuming Grestas has not had them erased.

George Grestas then proceeds to take this disgraceful situation and make it worse. He has ordered Fort Lauderdale Police Officers to provide an escort for Talyor’s funeral procession as well as traffic direction and security for the funeral itself. This is in direct contradiction to written FLPD policy which forbids funeral escorts. In other words, FLPD cannot provide escorts for the funeral processions of law abiding citizens. Nor can they even provide escorts for members of the US military killed in action. However, George Grestas believes it to be perfectly acceptable to provide a police escort to a murder suspect who shot at police officers as well as provide security to his family and friends who are threatening to kill police officers. A reasonable citizen might pose the question,“what is next?” Will he have the FLPD Honor Guard fire a 21 gun salute as a send off to the man just convicted of murdering BSO Deputy Fatta?

If Grestas is so concerned about a confrontation between FLPD and Taylor’s entourage, why is he making them attend the funeral when emotions will run the highest?

Under the leadership of George Grestas the Fort Lauderdale Police Department has reached an all time low. Many FLPD officers have expressed outrage, embarrassment, and shame for having to participate in this farce that Grestas has forced upon them. They are concerned about how other law enforcement agencies will perceive their participation in Taylor’s funeral. If Grestas had any credibility left with FLPD it is surely gone now.

And where is FLPD’s leadership during all this? The Chiefs, Majors, and Captains? They are all standing by in silence; a silence which is deafening to the men and women serving under their command. A truly sad day at FLPD.

I call BS on the escort part.....I was there and didn't see that.

That's F*ckin ridiculous, this guy never ceases to amaze me. I heard awhile back also, there were a couple officers in the wendys by federal hwy or somthing and he was standing behind them in line, the establishment gave the officers free food and he *****ed to the department heads that these officers were asking and getting free food while other people were paying.

Hey FLPD! Is this BS true? Feel for you guys. Not much better in green & white. I know...I was Pompano.


During his almost three year tenure as Fort Lauderdale’s City Manger, George Grestas has had ample opportunity to demonstrate both his arrogance and incompetence. The incident in which a BSO deputy shot and killed murder suspect Michael Taylor allowed Grestas to demonstrate these qualities once again. However, this incident revealed yet another facet of his personality: cowardice.

Grestas was furious that the Broward Sheriff’s Office had the nerve to come into “his city” and shoot a murder suspect who was shooting at police officers. He has been trying desperately to appease the black community in Fort Lauderdale and BSO’s act of self defense was, in his view, counter productive. To compound the problem, from Grestas’s perspective, BSO deputies had the bad taste to arrest Fort Lauderdale citizens who attacked them. All of this was almost more than he could bear since he has no control over BSO.

In the aftermath of Michael Taylor’s death, many members of the community in which he lived threatened to kill police officers in retaliation.“They took one of ours. We are going to take one of theirs” was the rallying cry heard in Taylor’s neighborhood. Grestas’s response to this direct challenge to law enforcement was to run away. He absolutely prohibited Fort Lauderdale Police Officers to respond to any type of call that was received from that part of the city (the west end of South Middle River Terrace HOA). In the weekend that followed Taylor’s death, there were large parties in that area to commemorate it. FLPD received dozens of calls requesting a police response to quell the disturbances, but they were all denied. Even when partygoers began to shoot off firearms in residential neighborhoods George Grestas refused to allow police to respond to the citizen’s calls for help. The same situation occurred this Friday night following Taylor’s wake. All of this is documented in FLPD’s recorded 911 calls and radio transmissions. Assuming Grestas has not had them erased.

George Grestas then proceeds to take this disgraceful situation and make it worse. He has ordered Fort Lauderdale Police Officers to provide an escort for Talyor’s funeral procession as well as traffic direction and security for the funeral itself. This is in direct contradiction to written FLPD policy which forbids funeral escorts. In other words, FLPD cannot provide escorts for the funeral processions of law abiding citizens. Nor can they even provide escorts for members of the US military killed in action. However, George Grestas believes it to be perfectly acceptable to provide a police escort to a murder suspect who shot at police officers as well as provide security to his family and friends who are threatening to kill police officers. A reasonable citizen might pose the question,“what is next?” Will he have the FLPD Honor Guard fire a 21 gun salute as a send off to the man just convicted of murdering BSO Deputy Fatta?

If Grestas is so concerned about a confrontation between FLPD and Taylor’s entourage, why is he making them attend the funeral when emotions will run the highest?

Under the leadership of George Grestas the Fort Lauderdale Police Department has reached an all time low. Many FLPD officers have expressed outrage, embarrassment, and shame for having to participate in this farce that Grestas has forced upon them. They are concerned about how other law enforcement agencies will perceive their participation in Taylor’s funeral. If Grestas had any credibility left with FLPD it is surely gone now.

And where is FLPD’s leadership during all this? The Chiefs, Majors, and Captains? They are all standing by in silence; a silence which is deafening to the men and women serving under their command. A truly sad day at FLPD.

Pompano was horrible! The city never supported us either. BSO has a great potential, just a certain Sheriff keeps holding them back.

Dont get me wrong. I dont want to go back. Better pay, benifits, equipment, and opportunities with BSO. But you have to admit that we at least did police work. When I was a kid with Pompano police work mattered. Now its about taking care of myself and my friends. Screw the animals in Pompano or any where else.


I agree 100%. Today in South Florida no police agency does real police work anymore. Sad isn't it?

I remember working in the old BSO d-2. Everytime I spoke with a FLPD officer they all seemed very happy and proud. Today it's a very different story thanks to the politicians and a chief that doesn't have the BALLS to do the right thing for his officers. I can't say jump into green and white because it's not much better here. We have bigger problems with our sheriff and his sorry staff. Just hold your heads high and watch your backs all the times. I know it's hard just try your best. STAY SAFE.

remember this one folks?


Hey FLPD! Is this BS true? Feel for you guys. Not much better in green & white. I know...I was Pompano.


During his almost three year tenure as Fort Lauderdale’s City Manger, George Grestas has had ample opportunity to demonstrate both his arrogance and incompetence. The incident in which a BSO deputy shot and killed murder suspect Michael Taylor allowed Grestas to demonstrate these qualities once again. However, this incident revealed yet another facet of his personality: cowardice.

Grestas was furious that the Broward Sheriff’s Office had the nerve to come into “his city” and shoot a murder suspect who was shooting at police officers. He has been trying desperately to appease the black community in Fort Lauderdale and BSO’s act of self defense was, in his view, counter productive. To compound the problem, from Grestas’s perspective, BSO deputies had the bad taste to arrest Fort Lauderdale citizens who attacked them. All of this was almost more than he could bear since he has no control over BSO.

In the aftermath of Michael Taylor’s death, many members of the community in which he lived threatened to kill police officers in retaliation.“They took one of ours. We are going to take one of theirs” was the rallying cry heard in Taylor’s neighborhood. Grestas’s response to this direct challenge to law enforcement was to run away. He absolutely prohibited Fort Lauderdale Police Officers to respond to any type of call that was received from that part of the city (the west end of South Middle River Terrace HOA). In the weekend that followed Taylor’s death, there were large parties in that area to commemorate it. FLPD received dozens of calls requesting a police response to quell the disturbances, but they were all denied. Even when partygoers began to shoot off firearms in residential neighborhoods George Grestas refused to allow police to respond to the citizen’s calls for help. The same situation occurred this Friday night following Taylor’s wake. All of this is documented in FLPD’s recorded 911 calls and radio transmissions. Assuming Grestas has not had them erased.

George Grestas then proceeds to take this disgraceful situation and make it worse. He has ordered Fort Lauderdale Police Officers to provide an escort for Talyor’s funeral procession as well as traffic direction and security for the funeral itself. This is in direct contradiction to written FLPD policy which forbids funeral escorts. In other words, FLPD cannot provide escorts for the funeral processions of law abiding citizens. Nor can they even provide escorts for members of the US military killed in action. However, George Grestas believes it to be perfectly acceptable to provide a police escort to a murder suspect who shot at police officers as well as provide security to his family and friends who are threatening to kill police officers. A reasonable citizen might pose the question,“what is next?” Will he have the FLPD Honor Guard fire a 21 gun salute as a send off to the man just convicted of murdering BSO Deputy Fatta?

If Grestas is so concerned about a confrontation between FLPD and Taylor’s entourage, why is he making them attend the funeral when emotions will run the highest?

Under the leadership of George Grestas the Fort Lauderdale Police Department has reached an all time low. Many FLPD officers have expressed outrage, embarrassment, and shame for having to participate in this farce that Grestas has forced upon them. They are concerned about how other law enforcement agencies will perceive their participation in Taylor’s funeral. If Grestas had any credibility left with FLPD it is surely gone now.

And where is FLPD’s leadership during all this? The Chiefs, Majors, and Captains? They are all standing by in silence; a silence which is deafening to the men and women serving under their command. A truly sad day at FLPD.

Yeah! I remember being suited up in Riot Gear stageing to go into the neighborhood. While the thugs watched our every move, mocking us. Then I remember Asst. Chief Bobby Carter playing like he was Gen. Patton-- Telling us all to stand down and go home. We were not going in. We were then ordered to avoid even patroling in the neighborhood for a couple of weeks. The inaction clearly sent the message to the Thugs that they controlled the neighborhood and situation. It was embarassing. I also recall working the funeral detail. Gang members drove by mocking us, pointing their fingers at us like gun signs, while we politely stood there like targets. I guess we showed them who was Boss!!