Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw is retiring from law enforcement after 30 years with the department.
In a letter to Mayor Jane Castor, Bercaw announced he would step down from his position on Aug. 6 to continue teaching at the University of South Florida as an associate professor at the College of Behavioral and Community Sciences, Department of Criminology.
Bercaw’s letter to the mayor read in part:
“Serving as Chief of Police under Mayor Jane Castor’s leadership has been one of the greatest honors of my career. Her support made our progress possible. She believes in our vision, encourages innovation, and champions investments in training, technology, officer wellness, and community-based programs. Because of her leadership, we moved forward with purpose, confidence, and the resources needed to succeed, helping make Tampa one of the safest major cities in America.”
Castor and Bercaw are set to give more details on his retirement during a news conference at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the Tampa Police Headquarters.
10 Tampa Bay News will have a crew in attendance and update this story with new information.
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