Demolition of old St. Pete police headquarters begins, paving way for mixed-use development
Demolition began Tuesday for the previous police headquarters in St. Petersburg.
Widow urges vaccines at funeral for St. Pete officer who died from COVID-19 complications
St. Pete Officer Michael Weiskopf was the third Bay Area law enforcement officer to die due to COVID-19. At his funeral, Karen Weiskopf said her husband made a "risky decision" not to get vaccinated -- one he later regretted just before he died.
Hour waits for ambulances, low vaccination among first responders strain emergency service in St. Pete
As healthcare workers and community leaders beg people to get the COVID-19 vaccine, the city of St. Petersburg is dealing with problems in its own house. Apparently, too many city workers in fire rescue and city police aren’t getting the shot, and when they get sick, the staffing shortages are noticeable.
Criminal justice reform a hot topic in Tampa Bay, no matter the side
Law enforcement agencies, residents, prosecutors, and advocates across the Tampa Bay area came together Tuesday night to discuss criminal justice reform including civil citation programs, Florida's anti-riot law, and communication between law enforcement and residents.
St. Pete officer, part of rescue team the day 2 died in line of duty, retires after 32 years of service
A St. Petersburg officer who received a Medal of Valor and was named Officer of the Year in 2011 retired Wednesday after 32 years of service.
Social workers respond to 100 days of calls in effort to improve policing in St. Pete
The first 100 days are in for the new social worker response program with the St. Petersburg Police Department, the chief of police reported Thursday. It’s part of an effort to shift more mental health and social service calls from police to the experts, and Chief Anthony Holloway said officers and social workers currently go out on calls together.
Social workers to be sent to non-violent 911 calls for service in St. Pete
St. Petersburg city councilors unanimously approved a contract on Thursday with Gulf Coast Jewish Family and Community Services to deploy social workers on nonviolent, noncriminal 911 calls for service.
SPPD: Undercover St. Pete officer has been shot twice in line of duty
The St. Petersburg Police Department said last week's shootout wasn't the first time an undercover officer was shot in the line of duty.
Submit possible cases of human trafficking in Bay Area using new app
The Tampa Bay Human Trafficking Task Force is launching a mobile app to help locate victims and catch suspects.
Social workers will be responding to calls by January, St. Pete police chief says
The cities of Tampa and St. Petersburg will be changing how their police departments respond to certain 911 calls. If someone is having a mental health breakdown, a social worker will soon respond along with an officer.
Police departments slow to address need for mental health support in law enforcement
Critical decisions can be the difference between life and death during a mental health emergency, and police officers often end up responding to those calls.
St. Pete PD promised new team for non-violent 911 calls by Oct. 1; now says timeline uncertain
St. Petersburg police said in July that the city had set aside $3.8 million to hire 25 additional police officers, but instead the department would hire social workers and other trained professionals who could respond to calls for help that did not involve violence.
More agencies turning to body cameras to increase transparency
Multiple law enforcement agencies in the bay area are taking steps to become more transparent by launching pilot programs or purchasing body cameras for officers.
SPPD forming new team to respond to non-violent 911 calls
With St. Petersburg police announcing Thursday it will change the way it responds to certain 911 calls, community members say it’s a good first step toward change in policing.
Chief says protests should continue, but not in St. Pete's streets
St. Pete’s chief of police says his officers will begin enforcing pedestrian traffic rules following complaints about protesters blocking traffic and emergency vehicles.
'Morale is in the gutter:' Protests, accusations taking toll on law enforcement
Tampa Police Chief Brian Dugan puts it bluntly while talking about the state of morale within his agency. “It’s a bit of a dumpster fire."
Bay Area law enforcement make small changes, reinforce existing policies on use-of-force
The Tampa, Clearwater, and St. Petersburg police departments say their policies are sufficient but are reminding officers of the rules. Sarasota PD banned choke-holds. But for the most part, Bay Area law enforcement are only making small changes in response to big outcry for reform.
Three Pinellas County law enforcement agencies announce coming procedural changes
In the two weeks since George Floyd’s death, there has been a growing movement calling for real, positive changes at local police departments to address racism and brutality.
Armed man arrested during St. Pete protests after throwing 'projectile' at chief, police say
After a day of trying to convince demonstrators that unity was the key to moving forward, St. Petersburg police brought out the riot gear and lined up to block protesters outside their headquarters.
St. Pete officers to start wearing 'always-on' body cameras
St. Petersburg Police Chief Anthony Holloway demonstrated Tuesday the new body-worn cameras he and four other officers will be testing over the next several weeks.