Police Emergency: Dial 911

Non-Emergency: Dial 231-6130

The mission of the Tampa Police Department Communications Bureau is to provide effective and efficient communications between the citizens requesting police, fire, or medical service and the units who respond. Additionally, the Communications Bureau endeavors to expeditiously provide various other support services for police and administrative operations. The intent of the Tampa Police Department Communications Bureau is to efficiently, effectively, courteously, and promptly receive and record requests for police service; dispatch police units to handle every justifiable request made for police service; provide the department with centralized control of personnel and facilitate field operations through the rapid dissemination of critical information by radio and telephone.

In 2006, the Tampa Police Department Communications Bureau answered 835,349 calls for service from the public. Of these, 455,672 were placed directly to 911. Over 55% of all incoming 911 calls were made with the use of cellular telephones. To efficiently respond to this call volume, TPD is authorized 97 full time Communications Technicians. Staffing is further augmented with the use of 6 part-time 911 call takers working during peak hours.

The city is divided into three police districts, each with two sectors. These six sectors, as well as Wants and Warrants, all require a primary frequency and dedicated dispatcher. Dispatchers are also committed to a Special Operations frequency when required for events such as Tactical Response Team activations or large events; including those unique to the City of Tampa such as Gasparilla and Guavaween.

Katie Niedorf

Tampa Police Official Patch

Theresa Doyle