Bret Owen Appointed Acting Police Chief in Tampa, Outlines Key Priorities
Bret Owen has been appointed as the acting Police Chief of Tampa. His appointment follows the retirement of former Chief Lee Bercaw. Owen's priorities include building trust and developing talent within the department, with a focus on cultivating the next…
Tampa St. Petersburg, FL, August 26, 2026 —
Tampa has a new acting Police Chief, Bret Owen, following the retirement of former Chief Lee Bercaw. The transition marks a new chapter for the department as Owen steps into the leadership role.
Chief Owen has articulated a clear set of priorities aimed at strengthening the Tampa Police Department and its relationship with the community. Central to his vision is the imperative to build trust and foster talent from within the ranks. This includes a dedicated focus on developing the next generation of law enforcement leaders, encompassing both officers and supervisors.
To achieve this developmental goal, Owen plans to leverage and potentially expand existing programs such as the youth explorer initiative. This program is designed to engage young individuals interested in law enforcement careers, providing them with early exposure and training opportunities.
Furthermore, community outreach and engagement remain a cornerstone of Owen’s strategy. He intends to sustain and intensify efforts to connect with the public, with a particular emphasis on initiatives involving young people. These outreach efforts are seen as critical for proactively addressing community concerns, including issues such as teen takeovers, and for cultivating and maintaining positive relationships between law enforcement and the youth of Tampa.
Story summarized from the original created by Jada Williams on www.tampabay28.com, see more information here.
