TAMPA, Fla. — The Tampa Police Department is partnering with the University of Tampa to recruit new officers.
Seniors in criminology and criminal justice programs can attend the TPD police academy on a scholarship. The students will spend their last semester of classes attending the TPD Police Academy full-time.
The students will receive University of Tampa credits as part of a new practicum course that will count as part of their criminology and criminal justice degree and their overall credit total.
Upon completion of the semester, they would graduate from UTampa. Then, upon completion of the police academy, they would be hired as officers.
The next scholarship police academy begins in January 2027.
TPD Chief Lee Bercaw said that this partnership represents an investment in the future of policing in Tampa.
“By working alongside the University of Tampa, we’re creating a direct path for students begin their law enforcement journey with the Tampa Police Department. We’re proud to welcome the next generation of officers who uphold our mission of making Tampa safer, together.”