Tampa Police and UT Partner to Create Direct Officer Pipeline for Criminology Students
The Tampa Police Department and the University of Tampa have partnered to create a direct pathway for criminology and criminal justice students to become local officers after graduation. Seniors in these majors can spend their final semester attending the police…
Tampa St. Petersburg, FL, July 23, 2026 —
The Tampa Police Department (TPD) and the University of Tampa (UT) have established a new partnership aimed at creating a direct pathway for students in criminology and criminal justice programs to join the local police force after completing their degrees.
Under this collaborative initiative, seniors enrolled in eligible majors at the University of Tampa will have the opportunity to participate in the police academy during their final semester. This period of academy training will count towards their academic course credit.
The Tampa Police Department will cover the tuition costs for these students while they attend the academy. In return, students who successfully complete the program will be offered a full-time officer position with the department upon graduation.
This program is designed to address the ongoing need for qualified law enforcement professionals while providing a clear career trajectory for university students interested in public service.
Further details regarding the specific eligibility requirements for students and the exact timeline for the program’s implementation were not immediately available.
Story summarized from the original created by By Lucy Marques, Times staff on www.tampabay.com, see more information here.
