Tampa Republic

TAMPA, FL. (August 2, 2024) -- Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw has announced the promotion of 47 officers and professional staff members to supervisory roles within the department. These promotions include the appointment of new executive staff members to fill vacancies created by retirements.

"I am incredibly proud to announce the promotion of these outstanding public servants," said Chief Bercaw. "Our department is fortunate to have such an extraordinary pool of candidates, each demonstrating exceptional leadership qualities and a deep commitment to our community. These individuals embody our department's philosophy of community-oriented policing and will bring fresh perspectives to their new roles. I am confident that they will continue to elevate the successes of our department and enhance public safety for all those in Tampa."

Deputy Chief Brett Owen will assume the role of overseeing departmental Investigations and Support, previously held by retiring Deputy Chief Mike Hutner. Deputy Chiefs Ruth Cate and Calvin Johnson will continue their leadership in departmental Operations, and Community Outreach and Professional Standards respectively.

Major Jason Dillaha will now lead the Special Operations Division, succeeding retired Deputy Chief Rich Mills, while Major Les Richardson will now oversee District Two Division, previously headed by Deputy Chief Owen.

A formal promotion ceremony will be held on August 16, 2024.

Promotions are as follows:

BRETT OWEN - DEPUTY CHIEF OF INVESTIGATIONS AND SUPPORT

Deputy Chief Brett Owen is an experienced law enforcement professional with a career spanning more than 25 years. Born in Ohio and raised in Haines City, Florida, Deputy Chief Owen graduated from Auburndale High School. He earned an Associate of Science in Criminal Justice from Polk Community College, a Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration from Barry University and is currently completing a Master of Arts in Criminal Justice from Saint Leo University.

Deputy Chief Owen’s commitment to professional development is evident through his participation in specialized training programs. He has completed the FBI LEEDA Trilogy (Supervisor, Command, and Executive Leadership), the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF) Senior Management Institute for Police (Session #82), the Command Officer Management Program at Saint Leo University (Class #31) and is currently enrolled in the Florida Criminal Justice Executive Institute’s Chief Executive Seminar (Class #57).

Prior to joining the Tampa Police Department in October 2002, Deputy Chief Owen served as a Deputy Sheriff with the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office beginning in 1998. His dedication to public service is deeply rooted in his family history; his grandfather Edward Owen retired as a Lieutenant from the Shaker Heights (OH) Police Department after a 27-year career.

Deputy Chief Owen’s tenure in Tampa has been marked by progression through various roles including patrol officer, detective, corporal, sergeant, lieutenant, captain, and currently Deputy Chief overseeing investigative and support functions.

JASON DILLAHA - MAJOR OF SPECIAL OPERATIONS DIVISION

Major Jason Dillaha has over two decades with the Tampa Police Department. Born in Dearborn, Michigan and raised in Livonia, Michigan Major Dillaha graduated from Madonna University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice.

Major Dillaha joined Tampa Police on May 20th 2002 as a sponsored police academy recruit. His career path includes assignments as patrol officer plain-clothes investigations detective sergeant lieutenant captain Shift Commander Specialty Teams Commander Crowd Management Group Commander and Deputy Incident Commander for Hurricane Irma response.

LES RICHARDSON II – MAJOR OF DISTRICT TWO DIVISION

Major Les Richardson II has over two decades experience born raised St Thomas U.S Virgin Islands attended Delaware State University Dover Delaware dual bachelor degrees criminal justice sociology prior joining Tampa Police Department worked juvenile probation sponsored police academy began foundational role patrol assignments narcotics investigations gang unit operations school resource officer duties Middleton High School understanding community needs lasting relationships graduate International Association Chiefs Police Leadership Organizations program University Chicago School Public Policy Policing Leadership Academy committed staying forefront best practices emerging trends ensure Tampa Police Department remains model excellence public safety

ADDITIONAL PROMOTIONS:

CAPTAIN

Lisa Purcell

Regina Zeigler

LIEUTENANT

Brian Bishop

Dora De La Rosa

Jeremy Groen

Roni Hill

William Logan

Kenneth Petrillo

Jordan Russell

SERGEANT

Mark Belmonte

Aaron Campbell

Michael Drayton

Michael Ferguson

David Hassett

Juan Hernandez

Steven Hogan

Terelle Jackson

Jamielynn Monte

Levi Newton

Keith Powell

Chrystal Shiver

CORPORAL/DETECTIVE

Jacob Alderman

Charnelle Baker

Ryan Barreira

Ricky Diaz

Raynaldo Figueroa

Daniel Ford Matthew Klimkoski Daniel Klotzbach Joel McKee Katherine Ramirez Matthew Reynolds Brian Samuel Nicole Sousa Paraliticci Robert Sudler Jorge Tamargo Monika Terry Christopher Vernon James Wilcher Jerry Wyche Steven Zawacki Hector Zurita

FORENSIC INVESTIGATIONS SHIFT SUPERVISOR Ivan Reese

EVIDENCE SERVICES ASSISTANT SUPERVISOR Kristina Hill

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