Pasco sheriff settles lawsuit filed over controversial policing program

The Pasco County Sheriff's Office has settled a lawsuit, agreeing to pay $105,000 to four individuals who claimed they were subjected to unconstitutional surveillance under the agency's "prolific offender" program. This program, which aimed to predict criminal behavior, faced backlash for allegedly violating the rights of those monitored, including minors. The lawsuit pointed out significant flaws in the program, such as the absence of limits on monitoring frequency and the lack of probable cause requirements for initiating checks by deputies. The settlement comes after a 2020 Pulitzer Prize-winning investigation by the Tampa Bay Times, which brought considerable attention to these policing practices. A spokesperson for the Sheriff's Office stated that the settlement was strictly a financial decision, as the costs of going to trial could have reached millions, funded by taxpayers.

While the agency asserts that its written policies were constitutional, it has acknowledged the need for reform in response to the lawsuit. The settlement concludes a contentious chapter in the agency's history and emphasizes the ongoing debate around policing methods and civil rights. The funds for the settlement will be covered by the Florida Sheriff’s Association Risk Management Fund.