Tampa Police Chief Announces Plans To Retire Sept. 10

TAMPA, FL — After 31 years with the Tampa Police Department, Chief Brian Dugan has decided it's time to move on.

During a news conference Monday, Dugan announced that he will retire effective Sept. 10.

Hired in 1990, Dugan spent several years in the North Tampa District, which encompasses Sulphur Springs, Seminole Heights and New Tampa. He also worked in the Criminal Intelligence Bureau, Street Anti-Crime Unit, Quick Uniform Attack on Drugs Squad (QUAD), Internal Affairs Bureau, Mayor's Security Detail and as a field training officer.

He's on the board of directors for the Police Athletic League, is a Leadership Tampa graduate and belongs to several professional associations, including the Tampa Bay Area Chiefs of Police Association, the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the National Association of Women Law Enforcement Executives and the Police Executive Research Forum.

In July 2017, with the retirement of Chief Eric Ward, former Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn named Dugan interim chief. Dugan was later named the 32nd chief of police for the city.

During his tenure as police chief:

• Dugan helped assure the safety of Tampa residents as the city prepared for Hurricane Irma.
• He led the department through an intense search for the Seminole Heights serial killer in 2018. After four people were murdered, Howell Donaldson III was finally arrested.
• During the time when athletes were protesting sports, Dugan reached out to several athletes with the Buccaneers and Tampa Bay Lightning, and invited them to take part in the department's Citizens Academy to gain a better sense of what law enforcement deals with on a daily basis. The story was featured on NFL networks.
• In 2020, during the height of a pandemic, Dugan worked with health care leaders around the city on ways to protect officers on the front lines from COVID-19.
• Following the murder of George Floyd, Dugan advocated for more transparency in the police department by implementing and overseeing several key initiatives. He worked with the Mayor's Task Force to hold discussions with community leaders about race relations and policing; he created his own advisory team to address issues throughout the community; and he requested the Florida Department of Law Enforcement investigate officer-involved shootings.
• Demonstrations across the country and locally prompted Dugan to require additional training for the department. He also implemented and expanded the body-worn camera program, updated department policies and procedures, and worked with the Citizens Review Board to find a better way to streamline complaints from residents.
• He's been instrumental in the planning process for public safety during major events in the city, such as the Super Bowl and the Stanley Cup Finals.
• Most recently, Dugan carried the department through the death of Master Patrol Officer Jesse Madsen, killed in the line of duty on March 9.

Dugan earned a bachelor of science in criminal justice degree from West Liberty University and a master of public administration degree from Troy State University.

He is a graduate of the prestigious Southern Police Institute's Command Officers' Development Course.

In 2014, he attended the Senior Management Institute for Police.

Dugan is married with two children.

"Chief Dugan has had a remarkable career as an innovative leader, with a passionate focus on community engagement and interaction," Tampa Mayor Jane Castor said. "Our community owes him a debt of gratitude, as his steady guidance and leadership of America's finest police department has been nothing short of outstanding. I am grateful for his service and friendship through the years."

“Brian Dugan has confidently led TPD through what has been the most challenging time to serve as police chief in a generation," Hillsborough County State Attorney Andrew Warren said. "We have always appreciated his dedication to our community, the strong partnership between our offices, and everything he’s done to help make Tampa the safest city in our state.”

A 23-year Tampa Police Department veteran, Assistant Chief Ruben "Butch" Delgado has been named interim police chief.

In his current role, Delgado oversees investigations and support. He previously worked in both patrol and administrative roles.

As the major in District 1 and previously as a captain in the district, Delgado partnered with community members and businesses to reduce crime and enhance the department's relationship with the community. He also served as the captain in charge of the Criminal Investigations Division.

Delgado served as the lead role for the public safety planning efforts of Super Bowl LV in February.

A Tampa native, Delgado graduated from Jefferson High School and holds a bachelor of arts degree from the University of Florida. He is married and has two children.