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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
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Redistribution of Tactical Resources Intelligence Led Policing Proactive and Preventative Policing Initiatives Partnering with Community

The administration launched a new, proactive approach to policing to improve upon the more traditional concept of responding to 911 calls. Managers and officers were responsible for tracking the crimes in their area and then devising daily attack plans to solve those crimes and prevent future offenses. To ensure this new philosophy was achievable, the city was divided into three smaller, more manageable geographic districts. The majors who commanded these districts were provided specialized resources and the latitude to deploy them as they deemed necessary. The goal was to attack emerging crime patterns and trends that were unique to each geographic area.

Tracking offenses as they occurred became a critical element of the new crime reducing tactics. To perform this tracking, each district was assigned a crime analyst to provide daily intelligence. They created a daily report that identified when particular crimes were occurring, how and where the crimes were being committed, and who the likely offenders were. This information allowed for a much more efficient and effective deployment of crime fighting resources.

Each officer was rewarded for displaying initiative that embraced the Tampa Police Department’s annual crime reduction goals. These goals were distributed department wide to ensure each officer developed a vested interest in reaching them. The department then launched a series of proactive initiatives that focused on the Big Four. Each of these operations indirectly reduced violent offenses because criminals who commit a series of burglaries may be more likely to commit an aggravated assault or worse.

A department-wide philosophy of Community Oriented Policing permeated the organization. Proactive communication with community leaders and cooperative partnership with neighborhoods has also helped reduce crime and improved the quality of life. Ironically, most of the “new” proactive techniques were implementation of long established and recognized methods of police work that were bundled into a new, more comprehensive approach. It was all designed to address the unique crime issues in Tampa. The executive staff understood it would have to take the steps explained below to successfully implement the Focus on Four Plan.

Download the Focus on Four Booklet (1.9MB PDF)


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