About
the Tampa Police Department
According to the Tampa Police Department, “In 1855 the first official
law enforcement position created was City Marshall by an act to incorporate the City of Tampa. Over the next 18 years the
City Marshall’s duties and responsibilities were expanded to include summoning members of patrol by midnight along with
examining and recording marks and brands on butchered cattle.” Today, the Tampa Police Department
is a full service law enforcement agency with an authorized strength of 1,324 personnel.
The
uniformed patrol contingent of the Tampa Police Department is divided into three geographic districts. An
Assistant Chief of Police is in overall command of the Police Operations with a Major in command of each of the three districts.
In addition to having uniformed patrol officers in the district command, each district has a number of specialized
units like District Latent Investigation Squad which is a squad of plain clothes detectives assigned to investigation property
crimes. Additionally, “the Street Anti-Crime squads assigned to each district are plainclothes squads
that handle varied types of complaints and assignments. The squads work in each district to reduce prostitution and prostitution
related crimes. SAC squads also work robbery, burglary and auto theft related crimes using various techniques to proactively
reduce crime. They also respond to citizen complaints for special problems and concerns.”
According
to the City of Tampa annual report, the Tampa Police Department, “has been successful in implementing an organizational
structure and innovative crime fighting techniques to generate significant annual reductions in crime rates and provide a
high level of police services to the community. Under the reorganized structure, the three police districts are committed
to protecting lives, property, and constitutional rights of people residing, working, vacationing, and traversing the city,
by maintaining and promoting community order and respect for the law. Construction and occupancy of a new District III facility
will help magnify the successes which have been and are being achieved. Other major initiatives being planned for 2008 include:
Implementation and compliance with national incident management system standards; deployment of efficiency improving technology;
homeland security and response to emergency management activities and incidents; increases in special events requirements;
and participation in Urban Area Security Initiative grant programs.”
Source:
tampagov.net
