Pasco County Sheriff Jeff Harrington plans to restore a dedicated traffic enforcement unit, citing crashes and residents' concerns about road safety.

Harrington said he wants to restart the Special Traffic Enforcement Program and keep it fully staffed without assigning its personnel to unrelated duties, Tampa Bay 28 reported Nov. 5.

“Too many crashes. Too many people are identifying traffic problems as their number one priority,” Harrington said, according to the station.

Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed Harrington sheriff Nov. 4, the Pasco Sheriff's Office announced. Harrington succeeded Chris Nocco, who resigned after winning a Florida Senate seat, according to Tampa Bay 28.

As we reported Nov. 5, the appointment followed Harrington's brief service as interim sheriff. His traffic plans provide a first look at priorities for his tenure.

Budget and election plans

Harrington said he expects to work with county commissioners and other constitutional officers on budget challenges. Tampa Bay 28 reported that he raised those concerns while discussing voter approval of Amendment 3 and its potential effect on local government revenue.

The station also reported that Harrington intends to seek election in 2028. His remarks describe an intention to pursue the office, rather than a completed campaign filing.

Harrington said he expects to maintain the agency's direction under Nocco and acknowledged that voters will ultimately decide whether he remains sheriff, according to the station.

Law enforcement background

The sheriff's office credits Harrington with more than 30 years in law enforcement. Its official biography says he began working for the agency in 1990 before joining the New Port Richey Police Department, where he eventually became chief.

He returned to the sheriff's office as a major in October 2011 and became chief deputy in July 2013, according to the biography. It says he later returned to Norwich University to teach and lead its Center for Leadership in 2024 before coming back to Pasco as a consultant and then Nocco's chief of staff.