By Amelia Anderson The Tampa Police Department, commonly known as TPD, is the municipal law-enforcement agency serving the City of Tampa, Florida. The department responds to emergencies, investigates crimes, patrols neighbourhoods, enforces traffic laws and operates crime-prevention and community-policing programs.
Tampa Police divides the city into three geographic patrol districts. Residents should call 911 when someone is in immediate danger or a crime is taking place. For matters that require police assistance without an immediate threat, the department provides a non-emergency dispatch number. Certain delayed and minor incidents can also be reported online.
Tampa Police Department Quick Information
| Information | Details |
| Official name | Tampa Police Department |
| Common abbreviation | TPD |
| Headquarters facility | One Police Center |
| Headquarters address | 411 North Franklin Street, Tampa, FL 33602 |
| Main headquarters phone | 813-276-3200 |
| Emergency number | 911 |
| Non-emergency police number | 813-231-6130 |
| Records Section | 813-276-3250 |
| Internal Affairs and misconduct complaints | 813-274-5849 |
| Evidence Control | 813-276-3279 |
| Vehicle Impound Lot | 813-242-5328 |
| Homicide and adult missing persons | 813-276-3582 |
| Missing persons and runaways | 813-276-3536 |
| Domestic Violence and Violent Crime Unit | 813-276-3575 |
| Sex Crimes and Child Abuse Unit | 813-276-3544 |
| County | Hillsborough County |
| Number of police districts | Three |
| Hillsborough County jail information | 813-247-8300 |
Tampa Police Department Headquarters Address
The Tampa Police Department headquarters is located at:
- One Police Center
- 411 North Franklin Street
- Tampa, Florida 33602
The main headquarters telephone number is 813-276-3200. The headquarters contains administrative offices, the Records Section and several specialised police units.
Residents do not need to visit headquarters whenever they require an officer. Police dispatch should be contacted when assistance is needed at a home, business, road or other incident location.
Call 911 when:
- A crime is currently happening.
- Someone is injured or in immediate danger.
- A weapon is involved.
- A serious traffic crash has occurred.
- A person requires urgent police, fire or medical assistance.
- A suspect is still at the scene or nearby.
For a situation that is not an emergency, call 813-231-6130. This number may be used when the incident has already ended, there is no immediate danger or an officer is needed to take a delayed report.
Important Tampa Police Phone Numbers
TPD maintains separate telephone numbers for its investigative and support units.
| Police service | Phone number |
| Main information and switchboard | 813-276-3200 |
| Non-emergency police dispatch | 813-231-6130 |
| Records Section | 813-276-3250 |
| Criminal Intelligence Bureau | 813-276-3651 |
| Evidence Control | 813-276-3279 |
| Homicide and adult missing persons | 813-276-3582 |
| Missing persons and runaways | 813-276-3536 |
| Narcotics Bureau | 813-276-3355 |
| Sex Crimes and Child Abuse | 813-276-3544 |
| Domestic Violence and Violent Crime | 813-276-3575 |
| Internal Affairs | 813-274-5849 |
| Seized property or vehicles | 813-276-3766 |
| Vehicle Impound Lot | 813-242-5328 |
| Parking tickets | 813-274-8177 |
Specialised-unit numbers are generally intended for case information and follow-up. A new emergency should always be reported through 911 rather than by calling an investigative office.
Tampa Police District Offices
The Tampa Police Department divides the city into three patrol districts. Each district handles patrol calls, preliminary investigations, traffic enforcement, neighbourhood watch activities and community concerns within its assigned area.
| Police district | Areas served | Address | Phone number |
| District One | West Tampa, South Tampa, Westshore and Davis Islands | 3818 Tampa Bay Boulevard, Tampa, FL 33614 | 813-354-6600 |
| District Two | North Tampa and Tampa Palms | 9330 North 30th Street, Tampa, FL 33612 | 813-931-6500 |
| District Three | Downtown Tampa, East Tampa, Ybor City and Port Tampa | 3808 North 22nd Street, Tampa, FL 33610 | 813-242-3800 |
The district offices also coordinate neighbourhood watch and local crime-prevention programs.
District One’s Neighborhood Watch number is 813-354-6692. District Two’s number is 813-931-6541, while District Three’s Neighborhood Watch number is 813-242-3867.
District boundaries do not always follow ZIP codes, neighbourhood names or City Council districts. Residents who are uncertain about the correct district should call the non-emergency number and provide the exact incident address.
Main Divisions and Specialised Units
The three geographic districts form part of TPD’s Operations structure. Patrol officers respond to emergency and non-emergency calls, conduct initial investigations and maintain a visible police presence in neighbourhoods.
The department also has specialised areas responsible for:
- Criminal investigations
- Homicide and missing-person cases
- Domestic violence
- Sex crimes and child abuse
- Narcotics investigations
- Criminal intelligence
- Traffic enforcement
- Forensic and evidence services
- Professional standards
- Legal services
- Training and personnel
- Special operations
A case may initially be handled by a district patrol officer and later transferred to a detective or specialised unit. The transfer depends on the type of offence, available evidence and seriousness of the case.
What County Is the Tampa Police Department In?
The Tampa Police Department is located in Hillsborough County, Florida.
TPD’s normal jurisdiction is based on the legal boundaries of the City of Tampa rather than the entire county. It does not provide regular municipal policing to every address in Hillsborough County.
The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office generally handles law enforcement in unincorporated county areas. Other incorporated municipalities may have their own police agencies.
The incident location normally determines which agency should take the report. A mailing address that includes “Tampa” does not always mean the property is inside Tampa city limits. Some locations with a Tampa postal address are in unincorporated Hillsborough County and may be served by the Sheriff’s Office.
During an emergency, callers should dial 911. Dispatchers can send the correct law-enforcement agency based on the location.
How to File a Tampa Police Report
Residents may report an emergency by calling 911 or request an officer for a non-emergency incident by calling 813-231-6130.
TPD also provides online reporting for selected incidents. The reporting person must generally be the victim or an authorised business representative, and the incident must have occurred within Tampa city limits.
The online system can be used for eligible incidents such as:
- Vandalism and graffiti
- Harassing or threatening telephone calls
- Illegal dumping
- Package theft
- Shoplifting
- Theft of services
- Identity theft
- Phone scams
- Check forgery
- Credit or debit card fraud
- Lost property
- Supplemental information for an existing report
Online reporting cannot be used when:
- The incident is an emergency.
- A suspect is known.
- Evidence has been left at the scene.
- A firearm was stolen or lost.
- A motor vehicle was stolen.
- A licence plate or registration decal was stolen.
- The incident happened outside Tampa city limits.
Some online report categories require photographs, receipts, bank statements, call logs or additional police forms. The general TPD sworn statement and consent form may also need to be completed and uploaded.
After submission, the person receives a temporary case number. TPD normally reviews the report within five business days. Once approved, a permanent case number is sent by email.
Delayed Crime Reporting
TPD’s district latent investigation teams handle selected offences that are delayed or do not require an immediate on-scene investigation.
These may include:
- Petty or grand theft
- Vehicle burglary
- Stolen vehicles or licence plates
- Vandalism
- Lost or found property
- Identity theft
- Forgery
- Missing or runaway juveniles
- Harassing telephone calls
- Lost or stolen mobile phones
The correct reporting method depends on whether a suspect is known, evidence is available and an officer needs to inspect the scene. Residents should call the non-emergency number when they are unsure whether an incident qualifies for delayed or online reporting.
Obtaining Police and Crash Reports
The Tampa Police Records Section is located at headquarters:
- 411 North Franklin Street
- Tampa, FL 33602
Its public counter generally operates Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., excluding city holidays. The Records Section can be contacted at 813-276-3250.
Available records may include:
- Traffic-crash reports
- Incident and general-offense reports
- Arrest reports
- Computer-aided dispatch records
- Calls-for-service searches
- Address searches
- Name searches
- Tampa Police arrest-history checks
- Body-worn camera video
Requesters should provide the report number whenever possible. When the report number is unknown, provide the incident date, location and names of the people involved.
A crime victim requesting a report may need to provide a copy of a driver’s licence or another form of identification.
Standard mailed police reports generally have a small fee. Crash reports requested by mail from TPD are normally listed at $2, while reports ordered through Florida’s crash portal are listed at $12. Other ordinary reports requested by mail are usually $2, although large or complex reports may cost more.
Information may be removed when a report contains juvenile records, protected victim details, confidential personal information or material related to an active investigation.
Towed and Seized Vehicles
The TPD Vehicle Impound Lot can be contacted at 813-242-5328.
Before calling, have the following details available:
- Licence plate number
- Vehicle identification number
- Make and model
- Vehicle colour
- Registered owner’s name
- Location where the vehicle was last parked
A vehicle owner may need valid identification, registration or other proof of ownership before the vehicle can be released. Towing and storage fees may also apply.
A vehicle seized as evidence or through a forfeiture case may have different release requirements. Questions involving a seized vehicle can be directed to the Forfeitures Unit at 813-276-3766.
Tampa Police and Hillsborough County Jail
Tampa Police officers investigate crimes and make arrests, but TPD does not operate Hillsborough County’s detention facilities.
The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office manages the county jail system. The main booking and jail-information number is 813-247-8300.
One of the principal detention facilities is:
- Orient Road Jail
- 1201 Orient Road
- Tampa, Florida 33619
The Sheriff’s Office also operates the Falkenburg Road Jail at 520 North Falkenburg Road, Tampa, FL 33619.
People seeking information about an inmate, booking number, bond, visitation or jail rules should contact the Sheriff’s Office rather than TPD headquarters.
Complaints About Tampa Police Conduct
A complaint involving a Tampa Police officer or employee can be submitted to the Professional Standards Bureau or Internal Affairs.
The complaint telephone number is 813-274-5849.
A useful complaint should include:
- The date and time of the incident
- Exact location
- Officer’s name or badge number, when known
- Police report number
- Names of witnesses
- Photographs, videos or documents
- A clear explanation of what occurred
A person does not necessarily need to know the officer’s name. Vehicle numbers, physical descriptions, unit information and the incident location may help investigators identify the employee involved.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I file a stolen-vehicle report online?
A: No. Motor-vehicle theft, stolen licence plates and stolen registration decals are not accepted through the general online system. Call 813-231-6130, or call 911 when the theft is happening.
Q: Can Tampa Police take a report for an address outside city limits?
A: Usually not. An incident in unincorporated Hillsborough County is generally handled by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. Call the non-emergency number when you are uncertain about the jurisdiction.
Q: Is a Tampa mailing address always inside TPD jurisdiction?
A: No. Some properties have a Tampa postal address but are outside the incorporated City of Tampa. The exact street location, rather than the city name in the mailing address, determines the responsible agency.
Q: Can I visit any Tampa police district to report an incident?
A: A district office may assist or direct you to the correct reporting method. Calling 813-231-6130 before visiting can prevent an unnecessary trip, especially when the incident qualifies for online or delayed reporting.
Q: How long does an online police report take to receive approval?
A: TPD normally reviews an online submission within five business days. The reporting person receives a temporary number first and a permanent case number after approval.
Q: Can I file online when I know the suspect?
A: No. The online system is intended for incidents without a known suspect or evidence at the scene. Call the non-emergency number so an officer can determine how the report should be handled.
Q: Does Tampa Police operate the Hillsborough County jail?
A: No. County detention facilities are operated by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. Call 813-247-8300 for inmate and booking information.
Q: How can I check whether my vehicle was impounded?
A: Call the TPD Vehicle Impound Lot at 813-242-5328. Be ready to provide the licence plate number, vehicle identification number and registered owner’s details.
Q: Can I get a crash report immediately after an accident?
A: Usually not. The officer must complete and submit the report before it becomes available. Contact the Records Section when the report does not appear after a reasonable processing period.
Q: Can another person request my police report?
A: Possibly, depending on the type of report and the requester’s legal authority. Identification, written authorisation or additional documentation may be required, especially when protected victim information is involved.