Leadership Pasco Newsletter - Fall 2023

"ATM" Ask Them, Tell Them, Make Them on "CJD"
By Craig Laporte '06
Everyone knows that cops like acronyms, but the Class of 2024
heard a new one during Criminal Justice Day on October 19,
2023. During a lively panel discussion, filled with plenty of Q&A’s,
Chief James Walters, Dade City Police, stumped the class with his
use of the acronym, “ATM.”No, not like the bank ATM.
First, a little context. The panel was discussing the state of civil
disobedience we’ve all seen recently on TV; especially with climate
activists around the globe sitting in the middle of busy roads
to disrupt traffic. The panel agreed that such behavior is not
tolerated in the Pinellas/Pasco area, and that law enforcement
will enforce laws prohibiting protesting in the streets, blocking the
free flow of traffic.
Sheriff Nocco explained that the position of the Pasco Sheriff’s
Office is to remove protesters from the streets. He said he has no
problem with people lawfully protesting, but when one person’s
protests interfere with another person’s rights, his agency will step
in.
That’s when Chief Walters said his department employs the
“ATM” method with people: “Ask them, Tell them, and then Make
them” comply with a lawful order.
The panel also heard from Chief Judge Shawn Crane, the first
judge from Pasco County ever selected to sit as chief judge of
the Sixth Judicial Circuit. Judge Crane is nationally renowned for
his innovations in setting up and presiding over Pasco county’s
Veterans Court and Drug Court.
Additionally State Attorney Bruce Bartlett and Public Defender
Sarah Mollo (LP class of 2023) talked about the challenges they
face because of the fentanyl epidemic and mental health issues
plaguing our counties. From the law enforcement agencies to the
prosecutors, the public defenders and the courts, all are keenly
aware of the need for drug and mental health interdiction to help
reduce the number of crimes occurring in Pasco County.
The class had the opportunity to also learn about the technological
advances in Pasco’s law enforcement agencies, especially
in the areas of robotics and drones, as well as IT. Sheriff Nocco
expressed concern about the impact artificial intelligence will
have in both the political and criminal areas, and how his agency
is working to adapt to protect itself and the citizens from the
problem.
The walking tour of the jail was an eye-opening experience for
the group. The jail is now operated by Pasco County’s Public
Safety department, having been turned over to the county by
Sheriff Nocco in October 2022. A new 640 bed jail is being
added to the complex, and the class learned about the issues of
hiring staff and increasing existing staff to run the new facility
scheduled to come on line next year.
Overall, it was another tremendous day thanks to the dedication
of all the participants. We thank Sheriff Nocco for hosting us
and making his entire administrative staff, K-9, SWAT, aviation,
marine, forensics and countless other members of his agency
available to the class. We also thank Pasco County Public Safety
for once again being so hospitable during the jail tour.
SUMMER 2023 NEWSLETTER