Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz Announces Major Command Staff Realignment Following High-Level Departures in Miami-Dade

Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz promotes three veteran officers to Assistant Sheriff following a high-level command staff shakeup in Miami-Dade County.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 27, 2026, 9:29 AM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from Miami Herald

Strategic Leadership Transition in Newly Formed Agency

The Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office has undergone its first major structural realignment since transitioning to an elected leadership model in January 2025. Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz announced the promotion of three veteran officers to the position of Assistant Sheriff, characterizing the move as an essential step in strengthening the quality of public safety services. This transition is part of a broader effort to convert the former county police department into a fully independent sheriff’s office, a process mandated by a 2018 statewide referendum.

Response to Command Staff Vacancies

The new appointments follow a significant personnel shift last week, which resulted in the removal of Eric Garcia, Shawn Browne, and Brian Rafky from the agency's top leadership tier. While the sheriff’s office has not disclosed the specific motivations behind the dismissals, officials stated that leadership changes are a routine and necessary component of organizational success. Both Garcia and Browne have departed from the agency entirely, while Rafky has remained with the office in a reduced capacity.

Career Trajectory of Fernand Charles Jr.

Among the newly appointed leaders is Assistant Sheriff Fernand Charles Jr., a 22 year veteran who previously served as a major in the Homicide Bureau. Charles has extensive experience managing death investigations across 27 municipalities and has held positions within internal affairs and the Organized Crimes Bureau. His professional background includes significant work on the "Bikes Up, Guns Down" public safety campaign, which focused on increasing enforcement and educational awareness through coordinated uniformed and undercover patrols.