Ron DeSantis has appointed Jeff Harrington as the permanent sheriff of Pasco County, Florida, just a day after the veteran law enforcement official assumed the role on an interim basis.
The appointment restores permanent leadership to the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office following the resignation of Chris Nocco, who left after 15 years in charge to take up a seat in the Florida Senate.
Jeff Harrington appointed Pasco County sheriff
Harrington had served as Mr Nocco’s chief of staff before being selected as interim sheriff by the chief judge of Florida’s Sixth Judicial Circuit. His temporary appointment took effect on Tuesday.
Mr Nocco resigned after winning election to represent District 21 in the Florida Senate. The district covers parts of Pasco and Pinellas counties, and he defeated Democrat Jordan Hensley in the November 3 election.
Mr Harrington brings more than 30 years of law enforcement experience to the post, including 14 years with the Pasco Sheriff’s Office. Governor DeSantis formalised his appointment on Wednesday, November 4.
The change marks the end of Mr Nocco’s tenure at an agency he first joined before becoming sheriff. He was initially appointed to the position in 2011 and subsequently won election to the office.
Mr Harrington is due to hold his first news conference as permanent sheriff at 1pm on Thursday, when he is expected to address the community and set out his plans for the department.
