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.
City council to choose additional member of TPD Citizens Review Board
Activists tried one last time to convince Tampa City Council that it should appoint a majority of members to the Tampa Police Civilian Review Board. Instead, the council voted for a 5-5 split with the mayor, and for both to sign off on an eleventh member appointed by the NAACP.
Tampa Citizens Review Board holds meeting amid political fight
Under rules instituted in 2015 after an outcry over tickets given to Black bicyclists, the mayor currently appoints six members, but is willing to go 5-5 with the council. However, councilors are nearing a final vote to appoint seven members and relegate the mayor to three.
Civil rights groups support TPD review board revamp
Civil rights groups are urging Tampa’s leaders to make changes to the police department's citizens review board. The issue is pitting the city council against Mayor Jane Castor.
Tampa PD expands scope of citizen's review board
More reform measures came Thursday to the way Tampa handles police oversight after the city’s police chief and the mayor announced changes to the citizen’s review board.
Tampa police remember 32 officers killed in the line of duty
National Police Week 2021 arrived in the wake of unprecedented pressure on law enforcement officers. Amid movements to defund police and budget cuts at large, metropolitan departments, Florida is on track for one of the deadliest years for police officers.
Tampa researchers say de-escalation training at top of community's police reform wish list
Policing changes are at the forefront of the nation, and Tampa researchers are studying what’s at the root of these issues and working with police on how to fix them.
Tampa policing task force discusses progress improving relationship with community
The meeting was previously scheduled, but its timing was not lost on attendees.
Community gives final farewell at funeral for fallen Tampa Police Officer Jesse Madsen
The funeral for Tampa Police Officer Jesse Madsen is taking place one week after he was killed in the line of duty.
Memorial patrol vehicle emblems unveiled as TPD prepares to lay fallen officer to rest
Tuesday marks a week since Tampa Police Department Officer Jesse Madsen sacrificed his life to protect others from a speeding, wrong-way driver. A day before Madsen's funeral, two TPD officers have been assigned patrol vehicles bearing Madsen’s name and end of watch date.
Funeral plans set for fallen Master Police Officer Jesse Madsen
The public is invited to attend a funeral service for Master Police Officer Jesse Madsen, who was killed last week by a wrong-way driver.
Tampa police mourn loss of retired Captain Michael Flynn
Retired Tampa Police Department Captain Mike Flynn passed away Friday evening at the age of 58, according to TPD.
Deputy will never forget brief encounter with hero TPD officer
During his nearly 17-year career with the Tampa Police Department, Master Police Officer Jesse Madsen received seven lifesaving awards. That didn't even include the time he saved the life of a Hillsborough County sheriff’s deputy.
Candlelight vigil held to honor fallen TPD officer
The community came together Thursday night for a candlelight vigil to honor and mourn Tampa Police Officer Jesse Madsen. Hundreds of people were at the emotional memorial.
Chief: Wrong-way driver from Colorado was intoxicated, in Tampa for 12 hours before crash that killed officer
Tampa's police chief said a Colorado man accused of speeding in the wrong direction on a highway before crashing and killing an officer was intoxicated and was in the city for less than 12 hours.
Fallen officer's partner: 'He'd always run to the danger'
"No matter what kind of situation we were in, I knew we'd be OK because he was right there with me," Officer Michael Strom said of his partner of almost eight years, Jesse Madsen.
City of Tampa lights up in blue to remember fallen Officer Jesse Madsen
The Tampa Police Department is mourning the loss of one of their own. 45-year-old Officer Jesse Madsen was killed early Tuesday while attempting to stop a wrong-way driver on I-275.
Tampa officer killed in I-275 crash likely collided with wrong-way car on purpose to save others, chief says
The Tampa Police Department is mourning the loss of one of their own after a "highly-decorated" officer, a Marine Corps veteran who had been with the agency for 16 years, was killed in a wrong-way crash.
Police union says officer should not have been fired for using 'derogatory language'
The Tampa Police Department has released body camera video of an officer who was fired for using "derogatory language" on two occasions last year.
Tampa school officer fired after body camera records him using racial slur twice
A Tampa Police Department officer who was assigned as a school resource officer at Middleton High School has been fired after his body-worn camera recorded him referring to people using racial slurs.