The Tampa Police Department has far exceeded the 4.7% national average of reducing crime for the sixth consecutive year. Tampa's crime is down 46% from 2003-2008

Under Chief Steve Hogue’s leadership, Tampa’s crime rate has dropped 46%, its lowest level in 30 years. His first course of action six years ago was to simplify the department’s mission to focus on crime reduction. Simply stated, the mission is “to reduce crime and improve the quality of life through a cooperative partnership with the community.” In keeping with that philosophy, Chief Hogue, reorganized the department around this mission by focusing on four basic tenants.

Redistribution of Tactical Resources – provided area commanders with all of the resources and personnel necessary to fight crime in their area of responsibility.

Intelligence Led Policing – hired a group of analysts to provide timely crime information on a myriad of patterns, individuals and issues.

Proactive and Preventative Policing Initiatives – developed and implemented programs focusing on specific crimes or criminals in each district.

Partnering with the Community – recruited citizens to be part of our crime fighting team- one of the most successful elements of the crime reduction efforts.

These four basic tenants make up the department’s Focus on Four Plan. The components target four, high volume, pattern crimes: robbery, burglary, auto theft and auto burglary. Reducing these offenses dramatically decreased the crime rate because the ripple effect of catching those criminals had a profound impact on the reduction of more violent offenses. This innovative crime reduction plan coupled with a strong emphasis on community oriented policing has produced impressive results. Over the last six years, the City of Tampa has had 16,000 fewer crime victims.

Chief Hogue draws on 35 years of law enforcement experience to produce his creative solutions to crime problems. He served the first 23 years of his career with the Tampa Police Department. Hogue rose steadily through the ranks, becoming a Major in 1994. Three years later, he retired from TPD to become the Chief of the Fort Walton Beach Police Department. He returned home to Tampa as Chief in September of 2003 to lead a department with more than 1,300 employees and a budget that exceeds $100 million.

The Tampa native is a graduate of Plant High School and the University of South Florida. Chief Hogue is married to Charlotte Hogue and they have two children.