Uniform Patrol Districts:
There are three districts to which uniformed officers patrol. District
One patrol officers cover the peninsula are of South Tampa, District Two cover
North Tampa and District Three East Tampa along with downtown and the Ybor City
entertainment district. Patrol officers work a four-on-four-off schedule with 11.5
hour days in three shifts (days, evenings & midnights). Patrol officers respond
to all calls for service in the city.
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Major Crimes Bureau (MCB):
The MCB has two main divisions for crimes against people & crimes
against property. Detectives conduct latent investigations after offenses are
reported at the patrol level. The Criminal Intelligence Bureau also falls under the
concerns of MCB and is responsible for investigations concerning organized crime &
those that are sensitive in nature along with providing dignitary protection services.
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Tactical Bureau:
Detectives investigate narcotics violations working in an undercover
capacity. Tampa Bay has an international airport and the 7th largest shipping port
in the nation. These offer narcotics traffickers ample opportunity to import illegal
drugs into Florida and the rest of the U.S. Vice detectives work covertly to stem
the flow of drugs onto the streets of Tampa and the nation.
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Crime Prevention:
Officers assigned here are uniformed and conduct seminars to help educate
the citizens of Tampa about ways not to be a crime victim. They also are also
responsible for a program known as Neighborhood Watch. This organizes neighborhoods
in Tampa to be helpful in assisting officers efforts to keep their neighborhoods safe
& crime free. They are the eyes & ears so to speak, an invaluable
resource to officers.
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Specialized Units:
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Motorcycle & DUI Squads:
Police motorcycles are used for traffic law enforcement and
have been very effective. The DUI squad works diligently to take those
too intoxicated to drive off the streets and highways of Tampa.
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Air Service:
The department operates fixed wing and helicopter aircraft. The most
seen police aircraft are the helicopters. They routinely patrol over Tampa and are
an invaluable asset to patrol officers in the detection and apprehension criminals.
The fixed wing aircraft are used for surveillance and transportation of department
personnel.
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Marine
Patrol:
Tampa has one major river (Hillsborough River) and is
surrounded on three sides by bay waters. The marine patrol operates
several boats along with personal watercraft (PWC) patrolling the waterways
in and around Tampa. They also work closely with police divers
in
search, rescue & recovery operations.
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Police Divers:
Police divers are from nearly every division of the department operating
on a call out basis. Their primary responsibility is to conduct search, rescue &
recovery operations in Tampa's waterways. They also inspect ships in port below the
waterline for contraband which is an all too common way of smuggling items.
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K-9 Handler:
Officer assigned to the K-9 Squad work throughout the city assisting
street officers in the apprehending suspects by tracking them. Some K-9's are
trained to detect various narcotics and explosives.
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Tactical response Team (TRT):
Members of this team work in areas throughout the department and respond
when needed. They are highly trained at searching for armed & dangerous suspects
and high risk search warrants. These officers are a valuable asset to other units in
the department with their unique ability to conduct high risk operations in a manner that
reduces officer, victim and suspect risks significantly.
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Mounted Patrol:
Officers use horses to greatly expand their abilities to patrol areas
where vehicles aren't maneuverable and foot patrol is inefficient. From high atop
their horses, they have a range of view that enhances their coverage from a any given
location. The horses speed allows them to quickly respond to nearby situations.
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Hazardous Device Technicians:
Officers on this team also work on a call out basis and are assigned to
areas throughout the department. They use a number of techniques and types of
equipment in order to safely handle devices. Perhaps the most interesting piece of
equipment is the remote control robot officers use when the situation demands it.
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Q.U.A.D.:
Meaning Quick Uniformed Attack
on Drugs, the QUAD squads combat street level narcotics throughout
the city. They operate in an undercover capacity the majority of the time but don
uniforms when needed. They conduct buy busts and reverse sting operations to help
contain street level sales of narcotics. The QUAD squads operate out of the
Tactical
Bureau and work closely with Vice squads.
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Street Anti-Crime (SAC):
Each District has a SAC squad assigned to it that conducts undercover
surveillance operations when crime patterns dictate the need. They also work street
level prostitution investigations.
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School Resource Officers (SRO):
Every middle and high school in Tampa has it's very own police officer on
campus. These officers handle any police matter occurring on or very near school
grounds. They also conduct classes periodically to educate students about drugs,
crime prevention and just about any subject that helps students avoid the pitfalls of
crime.
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