Sheriff Chris Nocco has been a pivotal figure in law enforcement in Pasco County, Florida, serving as the Sheriff since his appointment by Governor Rick Scott in 2011. He has subsequently been re-elected in 2012, 2016, and 2020, each time without opposition, signaling strong community and political support for his leadership.
Before his tenure as Sheriff, Nocco’s career included significant experiences across various aspects of law enforcement and public safety. He served with the Philadelphia Public School Police, the Fairfax County Police Department in Virginia, and the Broward County Sheriff’s Office in Florida. His experiences also include responding to major national crises such as the 9/11 attacks, the Washington, D.C. sniper incidents, and the anthrax attacks.
Beyond the field, Nocco also took on roles that bridged law enforcement with policy, serving as the Staff Director in the Policy and Procedure Office of the Florida House of Representatives, and later as Deputy Chief of Staff to then-Speaker of the House, Marco Rubio. These roles involved oversight of issues related to domestic security, criminal justice, and emergency management among others.
Under his leadership, the Pasco Sheriff’s Office has embraced technological innovations and community-oriented strategies. This includes being the first agency in Tampa Bay to deploy body-worn cameras and developing one of Florida’s largest Behavioral Health Intervention Teams. Sheriff Nocco also established the Florida’s Forensic Institute for Research, Security, and Tactics (FIRST), which integrates public safety with academic research and training.
Sheriff Nocco’s educational background is robust, holding a Master’s Degree in Public Administration and a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Delaware. His commitment to continual learning is demonstrated by his attendance at multiple prestigious institutions for executive and specialized training, including the Naval Postgraduate School, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Harvard Medical School.
Sheriff Nocco’s office continues to engage deeply with the community through various partnerships and initiatives aimed at addressing key social issues like human trafficking and mental health. His office collaborates with entities like the Pasco County NAACP, Sunrise Domestic Violence Shelter, and the US Institute Against Human Trafficking.
Sheriff Nocco’s approach to law enforcement in Pasco County reflects a blend of traditional policing with modern, innovative strategies that focus on both crime prevention and building strong community relationships.
