Pasco County Sheriffs Office

Micah Bizhop

* ***7/16/2020 - 10/18/2020***

Mark

* ***10/18/2020 - 1/2/2021***

Department of Law Enforcement

## Divisions

Field OperationsTraffic Division

Environmental Division

SWAT Division

Investigations Division

K9 Division

Aviation Division

Vice/Warrant Division

**Pasco County Sheriff's Office** is the main law enforcement agency that operates in Pasco County. The Pasco County Sheriff's Office also operates and runs the **Hillsborough County Sheriffs Office** in Hillsborough county and the Tampa Area.

## Chain of Command

### Administration

PSO Administration leads the department and makes major decisions to keep the department on track. The Administration watch over the decisions of the Command Staff. Administration includes the ranks of Sheriff and Chief Deputy.

### Command Staff

The Command Staff lead the many PSO Divisions. They supervise Jr. Command Staff members and help out when it is needed.

### Jr. Command Staff

PSO Junior Command Staff train and supervise the Sr, Patrol and Patrol Deputies. They officially become supervisors and are the first point of contact for more serious questions. They plan and run the ride alongs with deputies, issue beat placements if needed, and answer questions from the patrol deputies.

### Sr. Patrol

Senior Patrol deputies are the main point of contact for simple questions and help from the patrol deputies. They help with training and doing ride alongs with patrol deputies as well as make decisions when a supervisor is not available. At Sr. Patrol deputies gain access to more divisions and opportunities in the department.

### Patrol

All PSO Patrol Deputies are at the bottom of the PSO Ranking Structure. They initiate traffic stops and enforce basic laws. Deputies are able to choose from a small selection of divisions once they meet the requirements.

For deputies in divisions, they have their own chain of command, policies, and rules they have to follow.

## Divisions

PSO Operates 5 Divisions that specialize in different tasks. PSO is also apart of Florida Joint Operations which has 3 extra divisions deputies can join once they are apart of Joint Operations.

### Field Operations

Field Operations is the patrol division and the heart of PSO. Deputies start in Field Operations and have the ability to join another division as they rank up. Field operations conducts basic traffic stops and patrols throughout Pasco and Hillsborough County.

### Traffic Division

Traffic Division focuses on vehicle and road safety. They plan and operate DUI and other checkpoints, run scene control, and maintain the PSO fleet. Deputies have the ability to conduct BAC tests on individuals and are primary in pursuits. When a vehicle requires a tow truck, the traffic division is there to help.

### Environmental Division

The Environmental Division is the Wildlife side of PSO. They utilize ATVs and other off-road vehicles to conduct their duties. They enforce wildlife regulations and maritime law. The Environmental Division is the only division that can operate on land, sea, and in the air.

### Investigations Division

Investigations works on scenes to help deputies find and capture criminal and identify evidence. Investigations also works with the Warrant Division to serve warrants and arrest wanted criminals. Investigations also works with other agencies and the federal government to find and capture wanted fugitives.

### Vice/Warrant Division

The Vice/Warrant Division is the tactical unit that is called when SWAT is not available. They serve warrants of low to medium level criminals and run operations to capture drug and weapon dealers. They also do other operations such as auto theft and covert operations.

### Joint Operations Divisions

* SWAT Division
* K9 Division
* Aviation Division

## Jurisdictions

PSO patrols within Pasco County and some surrounding areas. When a PSO deputy becomes a HSO deputy, they patrol within Hillsborough County and the City of Tampa.