Keeping Your Pasco Sheriff’s Office Professional and Courteous

The Pasco Sheriff's Office is a rapidly growing agency committed to protecting and serving the citizens of our county. When I meet these dedicated men and women in uniform, I know they are among the best at what they do. Our agency now serves the sixth largest population in Florida and we do it for far less than any other agency our size.

My deputies, civilian employees, support staff and volunteers know I don't take this task lightly. I expect the best service for the citizens of Pasco. But with an agency of this size, more than 1,230 full and part time employees, there are bound to be issues that will arise. You can help me ensure that the Pasco Sheriff's Office remains professional and courteous.

First of all, no Sheriff wants a "bad apple" in the ranks of his or her agency. By the same token, however, no administrator wants to see even an average employee or deputy railroaded by a false of unsubstantiated allegation.

Although law enforcement officers accused of a crime are treated in much the same way as any other person accused of a criminal act, the landscape changes when the investigation relates to internal discipline.

Law enforcement officers have, in most cases, the same protections as any other employee. But law enforcement officers do have special protections provided by the State of Florida through the Florida State Statutes when under internal investigation. These protections are commonly known as the "Police Officer's Bill of Rights" and are designed to protect deputies from overzealous internal investigators and administrators.

When doing an internal investigation we must, whenever possible, interview "all identifiable witnesses" prior to interviewing the accused law enforcement officer. The law enforcement officer then has the right to review all the evidence against him or her, including the statements made by witnesses, before answering any questions. Pasco Deputies have an additional level of protection, by way of the Career Service Appeals Board (CSAB).

Whenever I discipline an employee that consists of more than two days suspension or a demotion of more than one rank, that employee has the right to appeal to the CSAB. The CSAB actually gets its authority from a county ordinance and is binding on the Sheriff. If the board finds that there was insufficient evidence to discipline the employee, they can reverse the discipline as they did only one time since I've been elected your Sheriff.

Also in 2003, the Florida Supreme Court allowed deputies to collectively bargain. Based on the Supreme Court's decision, deputies may be represented by a union with regard to working conditions. Now, if deputies elect to unionize and collectively bargain, Sheriffs have to deal with them collectively, instead of one-on-one.

The Professional Standards Unit of the Pasco Sheriff's Office has a very difficult job. They must work diligently to protect the public against wrongdoing by our employees, while making sure they do not violate any of the rights granted by Federal, State and local law. They must also work hard to protect our employees against false accusations.

I believe that most of your experiences with my deputies and employees have been professional. But if you feel that you have not been treated with the utmost professionalism, I urge you to contact that employee's supervisor or if you feel the matter is more urgent, contact our Professional Standards Unit to look into any allegation. They can be reached by calling 1-800-854-2862, extension 3439.

Pasco Sheriff
Bob White