Tampa Police Department

Proving we are safer together, the other night, two suspects linked to several illegal dumping cases were arrested following successful surveillance efforts by our Aviation Unit and with assistance from Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office. Detectives had developed strong leads that identified subjects of interest believed to be responsible for dumping hundreds of used tires throughout the city. With Air Service monitoring from above, officers observed the suspects illegally dispose of more than 100 tires in the county. Following a traffic stop by HCSO, both suspects were taken into custody and charged with two felonies each.

Yesterday, we hosted our inaugural Women in Law Enforcement Symposium at Hillsborough Community College Ybor Campus. The audience, comprised of eager criminal justice students with strong aspirations for a career in law enforcement, heard from a diverse panel of civilian and sworn department members who shared their path and career at Tampa PD. In our determined efforts to recruit more women in law enforcement, if you know anyone interested in a rewarding career in this field, please don't hesitate to contact us at JoinTampaPD@tampa.gov. Stay tuned for our next event!

Congratulations to our 48 newly promoted members! On Friday, we were joined by their loved ones, to recognize our new Deputy Chief, Majors, Captains, Lieutenants, Sergeants, Corporals, Detectives, and professional staff supervisors. A testament to their character, competence, and capacity to lead, each member will continue to serve our community in their new role as we work towards making Tampa safer, together.

Congratulations to Melvia Kingen who was recognized as the Employee of the Month for August 2024. Having joined the Support Services Division in 2020, Melvia has shown exceptional commitment and adaptability during her tenure. Swiftly mastering her responsibilities, she plays a pivotal role in processing training requests, coordinating travel arrangements, and managing purchase orders, all vital to the division's success. Melvia's exceptional performance and unwavering dedication are the reasons why she was awarded this month's recognition. 

Before summer break ended, teens from the Tampa ACE Academy and members of the Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals visited our hangar for a behind-the-scenes look at our Aviation Unit. Getting up close and personal with the equipment used by our officers to keep our city safe from the skies, the teens were shown the endless possibilities of working in aviation and law enforcement simultaneously.

Congratulations to Corporal Derek Lang, who was awarded the Community Policing Officer of the Month for August 2024! Last school year, after a fellow supervisor was injured, Cpl. Lang supervised 19 SROs across Districts 1 and 3, managed more than 40 schools, and conducted frequent school visits, which included active assailant drills and meetings with the School-Based Threat Management Team. Despite this demanding schedule, Cpl. Lang remained committed to supporting our youth, as he significantly contributed to our Police Athletic League's summer camp operations this year. Cpl. Lang's exceptional problem-solving skills, leadership abilities, and dedication are the reasons why he was recognized as this month's Community Policing Officer.

Celebrating alongside more than a million residents county-wide, we're proud to serve nearly 400,000 residents in the nation's greatest city. Happy 813 Day!

Congratulations to our newest Deputy Chief, Brett Owen, and Lieutenant Andrea Hughes, who recently graduated from Saint Leo University's Command Officer Management Program. This distinguished graduating class represents the university's 31st cohort, consisting of 10 dedicated law enforcement supervisors who are committed to elevating their respective agencies. This accomplishment is a testament to their unwavering dedication to keeping our community S.A.F.E.

Absolutely incredible day at our Tampa, FL #LaundryProject yesterday! We partnered with our friends Tampa Police Department Black History Committee to assist 41 families with washing 511 loads (5,110 pounds) of laundry! 🧺 That’s not all! The Storch Group even provided families with back to school supplies while assisting with laundry. 📚 It was truly a day full of turning the laundromat into a community center of hope! #SoapAndHope #HopeDealer #DoWhatYouCan #EngageCurrent #CurrentInitiatives #LaundryProject15

Proving nothing is impossible, Motor Unit Officer Roy Paz successfully maneuvered through a complex cone pattern known as the "Impossible Bleeding Ulcer.” Now known as the "Bleeding Ulcer” for Officer Paz, this cone pattern is still considered one of the most difficult to complete, even for the most experienced riders. Speaking of experience, did you know that before Motor Unit Officers hit the city roads on their Harley, they must complete 200 hours of training? The unit also completes 10 hours of monthly training and must qualify twice a year to demonstrate proficiency.