All Tampa Police Brutality Accusations To Be Reviewed By State

TAMPA, FL — While Tampa Mayor Jane Castor said she's prepared to make changes in police department policies, she said she won't consider defunding police until social services are in place to respond to those mental health calls now being handled by police.

"The police get over a million calls a year for service in Tampa and 90 percent of them are social services-related. They have nothing to do with law enforcement," she said during a news conference Friday.

When a resident calls 911, they expect a police officer to arrive on the scene, whether the call is for someone experiencing a drug overdose and needs a dose of Narcan or a person with mental health issues has become a danger to himself or others. Someone has to be available to respond to those calls, she said.

"Before defunding police, you have to have a safety net first," Castor said. "We need to fund those social services first. This state is 51st in funding for mental health. We’re behind Puerto Rico. That’s a disservice to our residents."

After speaking to pastors, the NAACP, Black Lives Matter and other protest groups, and "viewing the demonstrations, the grief, anger and frustration that's out there in the community," Castor did announce three changes in department policy.

Currently, officer-involved shootings are investigated by members of the Tampa Police homicide bureau, internal affairs, the state attorney's office and police union representatives. Castor said those shootings will now be investigated by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement "to ensure the investigation is unbiased and above reproach."

Secondly, police officers who witness excessive force by another officer have an obligation to intervene. Castor said that's always been an unspoken policy of the department "but it has never been codified in policy."

Along those same line, the carotid restraint, or choke hold, has been banned by the Tampa Police Department for 30 years. Castor said that has now been codified in police policy as well.

Finally, she said she's putting together a mayor's community task force on policing to review the department's procedures and policies. The task force, which will meet June 27, will include 40 people including representatives of the NAACP, Police Chief Brian Dugan, pastors, residents from neighborhoods throughout Tampa and business owners.

"There's no denying the officers feel their backs are up against the wall. No one despises police brutality more than a police officer. But clearly there are areas of improvement, and we need to listen closely and affect change," said Castor.

"A police department is only as strong as its relationship with the community," she said. "We'll look at the policies and procedures and see what needs to be changed. The greatest asset is an engaged community."

In the meantime, Castor said she's meeting with protest groups Saturday and Sunday. She met earlier this week with another group.

"I have made the commitment far and wide," she said. "I am here to listen."

Asked about Hillsborough County State Attorney Andrew Warren's decision Monday to dismiss charges against 67 protesters arrested in Tampa June 2, Castor said she not only agreed with the decision but met with Warren and Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister prior to the announcement, urging Warren to drop the charges against the nonviolent protesters.

"But those who were violent and caused property damage have to be held accountable," she said.

Castor was also questioned about statistics that indicated that use of force has risen in the police department since 2017.

"That is something I will look into," she said. "If it is necessary, the minimal amount of force is used and then every incident is investigated."

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