With almost 60 years’ combined experience in the Tampa Police Department, Castor and Bennett already had a good working relationship when they were appointed to the top spots in 2009. But their teamwork in overseeing Tampa’s response to the RNC may have been their finest hour. There were only two arrests; the 3,500 officers who came here from throughout Floria won praise for their professionalism from all sides — delegates, residents and protesters; and, most importantly, Castor and Bennet led by example, clearly communicating their conviction, in Bennett’s words, that “we’re here to protect the political process” — including the exercise of free speech. (For more on Castor, Bennett and the RNC, read Mitch Perry’s interview at cltampa.com/poweroftwos.)
This article appears in Sep 20-26, 2012.