Tampa Police Department Special Support Division 411 Franklin Street Tampa, FL  33602 (813) 276-3471
Major Marc Hamlin Division Commander

The Special Support Division consists of the Support Services Bureau and the Special Operations Bureau.  The Support Services Bureau includes the Special Operations Group which helps reduce crime by offering specialized support and resources to uniform patrol officers and the investigative division. This diverse team serves the community by air, land and sea.

• The Aviation and Marine Units conduct proactive patrols in our skies and bay area waterways.

• The Traffic/Motor Unit and DUI Enforcers were reorganized to provide 24-hour coverage, seven days a week to reduce the number of car accidents caused by careless, aggressive or impaired drivers.

• The police dogs in our Canine Unit are on patrol seven days a week to help catch suspects who flee from officers. All of the K-9 partners are cross trained in bomb or narcotic detection.

• The department depends on the Mounted Unit to help control large crowds and provide unique patrols. Our Special Incident Management Unit, known as SIMU keeps large events like Gasparilla, Guavaween and visiting conventions running smoothly. It also handles dignitary visits and all emergency management.

• The Extra Duty component allows private citizens and businesses to hire off duty officers for enhanced security.

• Fleet Management keeps the patrol cars and undercover vehicles in working order to provide prompt service to citizens.

The on-call side of this division includes elite specialty teams with specialized training to handle emergency or hostile situations.

• The Tactical Response Team is responsible for conventional and homeland security SWAT deployments. They are supported by the Hostage Negotiators who provide real time intelligence and interaction through their on scene communication.

• The Tampa Fire Rescue Tactical Medics provide medical care during a dangerous or active scene.

• The Bomb Team detects and disables hazardous materials with the latest technology and training. These certified technicians perform proactive sweep missions to ensure the city is safe for dignitary visits or large events.

• The Underwater Search and Recovery Team is a group of specialized divers who search for weapons, evidence and even victims in all of Tampa’s waterways. They help provide homeland security in our port by searching docks and ships for contraband.

• Our Mass Incident Response Team uses overt and covert methods to monitor and maintain order in situations where large crowds are present. The Honor Guard and Critical Incident Stress Management Units help the department recognize the dedicated service of our fallen officers, whether active or retired and console the survivors.

Reserve Officer Force - The Force's primary purpose is to provide additional manpower for special events or during emergencies.