TPD Archives - Creative Loafing Tampa

Exterior view of the Tampa Police Department headquarters building in Tampa, Florida.

‘Boys club’: Fired Tampa assistant chief alleges discrimination and retaliation, records show

The City of Tampa’s embattled human resources department cleared itself of any wrongdoing.

by Valerie Smith April 30, 2026May 1, 2026

Last month, a top Tampa Police Department employee was fired for “failing to meet the expectations” of her role as assistant chief, and little other explanation was initially provided to the public. The new details came to light this week after the City of Tampa released Assistant Chief Ruth Cate’s complaint and documents from the […]

Boston Dynamics Spot robot B69 with mounted sensors standing on a concrete path outside a modern industrial building

Tampa Police Department wants taxpayers to pay $2 million for new guns and a robot dog

St. Petersburg police purchased its robot dog with a private donation.

by Michael Bishop and The Tampa Monitor March 23, 2026March 23, 2026

Tampa Mayor Jane Castor speaking at a podium during a press conference, flanked by five Tampa Police Department officers in uniform in front of the City of Tampa Florida seal.

DeSantis Administration threatens to remove Tampa mayor from office over alleged ‘sanctuary’ policies at TPD

If Castor is removed before her term is up in May of next year, then the Tampa City Council Chair would become acting mayor, which is currently District 1’s Alan Clendenin.

by Valerie Smith March 11, 2026March 11, 2026

Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw speaks at a podium during a press conference in Tampa, Florida. Standing behind him from left to right are City Council Chair Alan Clendenin, Mayor Jane Castor, and City Councilmembers Naya Young and Guido Maniscalco.

Ybor City gets new pedestrian safety upgrades, following deadly police chase

Police Chief Lee Bercaw says TPD is still ‘eagerly waiting’ the end of an investigation into troopers’ actions before the crash.

by Colin Wolf and Ray Roa March 3, 2026March 3, 2026

Memes shared within Tampa Police Department show staff celebrating chief’s resignation over golf cart scandal

In one meme, O’Connor is photoshopped to appear at a DMV, finally getting a license plate for her golf cart

by Colin Wolf December 6, 2022February 9, 2025

Arts & Entertainment

Antonio Brown is promoting his music while running from the Tampa Police Department

AB is apparently hunkered down, and posting to the timeline.

by Colin Wolf December 5, 2022July 29, 2025

Tampa Police Chief Mary O’Connor resigns amid investigation over flashing badge to get out of traffic violation

She was caught using her badge to get out of a Nov. 12 traffic stop.

by Colin Wolf, Ray Roa and Justin Garcia December 5, 2022July 22, 2025

A 22-year Tampa police officer resigned after using homophobic slurs during an arrest

The officer resigned during TPD’s internal affairs investigation.

by Justin Garcia October 26, 2022July 27, 2025

Tampa Mayor Jane Castor says she will not direct TPD to arrest those who have had or seek abortions

Two weeks prior, Gov. Ron DeSantis suspended state attorney Andrew Warren for calling the 15-week abortion ban “unconstitutional.”

by Molly Ryan August 17, 2022September 1, 2024

Tampa police made DUI arrests below the legal alcohol limit, officer alleges arrest quotas

A Tampa police DUI squad officer accused his superior of “destroying morale” in his unit by imposing quotas and undermining the former TPD chief.

by Justin Garcia July 14, 2022June 12, 2025

Tampa police use ‘geofencing’ to investigate crimes, a spying tactic critics call unconstitutional

Geofencing has caused thousands of innocent people across the country to become suspects in crimes and infringes on constitutional rights.

by Justin Garcia July 6, 2022July 27, 2025

New information in Tampa Police dog shooting reveals disturbing behavior from officers

The officers made fun of the shooting, and kept the dog from getting to veterinary help as the dog bled.

by Justin Garcia June 30, 2022July 22, 2025

Tampa police officer retired early after acting ‘belligerent’ while cutting line at Busch Gardens

TPD Captain Ashley Roberts retired in October of last year during an Internal Affairs investigation into her behavior.

by Justin Garcia June 7, 2022May 31, 2025

Tampa Police Department’s officer of the month was fired then rehired, and the problems continued

TPD officer Algenis Maceo has 18 violations, six of which occurred after he was rehired in 2020 following a scandal.

by Justin Garcia May 31, 2022June 20, 2025

Poll: Over 80% of Tampa residents want to vote for police review board changes

The poll found that Tampa voters overwhelmingly support an independent attorney and subpoena power for the police review board.

by Justin Garcia May 20, 2022March 10, 2024

Florida ACLU calls on Tampa City Council to give police review board independent attorney and subpoena power

The changes could potentially give the board more tools to examine Tampa Police Department behavior.

by Justin Garcia May 18, 2022November 12, 2023

Tampa police body camera footage adds new details of innocent Black woman’s violent arrest

The woman was detained when police pulled her fiance over in July 2021.

by Justin Garcia May 17, 2022June 30, 2025

Tampa police officer who violently arrested innocent Black woman has a history of violations

Brigitte Curbelo has past violations and is named in a lawsuit about a separate arrest.

by Justin Garcia April 28, 2022June 13, 2025

Former Tampa Police Chief Brian Dugan says the ‘Bock The Blub’ mural should be removed

Dugan says the mural was overwhelmingly disliked by himself and many TPD officers.

by Colin Wolf April 19, 2022August 5, 2025

Tampa City Council confirms Mary O’Connor as police chief, after outcry about the selection process

Mary O’Connor has served as TPD police chief since Feb. 8, and was confirmed by council today.

by Justin Garcia March 17, 2022May 29, 2025