Thin Blue Line: Pasco County Sheriff s Office

Sunday 16 December 2012

Pasco County Sheriff s Office

According to the Tampa Police Department, at least 18 Pasco deputies have left their jobs to become police officers in the past two years. It's a situation that worries Pasco Sheriff Chris Nocco. "The one thing that is a common theme for everybody is no pay raises," the sheriff said. Last week, the sheriff submitted his new budget proposal to the Pasco County Commission. Nocco asked for an additional 3.5 percent to deal with increasing fuel and insurance costs. It did not include pay raises for deputies and other agency employees. In his budget letter, he wrote "...I would again request you look into salary adjustments for our members, as this is the fifth straight year with no step increase or cost of living increase." Nocco said he understands the frustration of another year with no raises. Likewise, he doesn't blame some for leaving. "They've got families to feed. If they can earn more money at another agency I can't say '...hey stay here,' " Nocco said.The alarming number of departures to a neighboring agency is raising concern among county commissioners.