Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw will officially retire on August 6, 2026, marking the end of a career with the city that spanned more than 30 years. Bercaw spent his final three and a half years at the department serving as its Chief of Police.

Community-Oriented Policing

Bercaw originally started his career as a reserve officer patrolling the streets of Tampa before rising through the ranks to lead the agency. After his retirement from active law enforcement, he will join the University of South Florida College of Behavioral and Community Sciences. Working within the Department of Criminology as an Associate Professor of Instruction, Bercaw will instruct students and coordinate the Master of Arts in Criminal Justice Administration program.

Mayor Jane Castor praised the outgoing chief’s career and impact on the city. “Chief Bercaw came up through this department as a young officer and leaves as one of the finest law enforcement leaders this city has ever seen. Thirty years is a long time to give yourself to something, and he gave Tampa everything he had,” Mayor Castor said. “Under his leadership, this department became a national model for what modern, community-oriented policing looks like. Chief Bercaw made us safer, stronger, and I am deeply proud of what we built together.”

During his tenure, Bercaw focused heavily on community trust and staff well-being as pillars of crime reduction. “We did not simply reduce crime in Tampa, we demonstrated what effective, modern policing looks like when it is rooted in community trust and a commitment to officer and employee wellness,” Chief Bercaw said.

Following Bercaw’s departure, Assistant Chief Brett Owen will step into the role of Acting Chief of Police, a selection made by Mayor Castor. Owen will remain in the position until the city’s next mayoral election.

Original reporting: Tampa Free Press — read the source article.