Black Community Relations Committee

The Black Community Relations Committee, serves as a liaison between the Black community and the Sheriff's office. The Committee achieves this through community outreach initiatives and scholarships to deserving young persons. 

Throughout history society has gone through cycles of retrogression and progress. The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office has likewise experienced these conditions. During a time of conflict and community unrest, the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office Black Advisory Council was formed in January 1977 to help deal with these issues.

Prior to the formation of the Black Advisory Council, many within the minority community did not trust law enforcement. There were others who did not understand the many important roles of law enforcement. After various conflicts, which included riots, there were  many within the community and the Sheriff's Office who realized the need for a better working relationship between the community and law enforcement. They recognized that there was a lack of understanding that often prevented a positive working relationship between citizens and those sworn to provide protection. It was at this time that Former Sheriff Malcolm Beard formed the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office Black Advisory Council, which was composed of 12 members.