Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn named Interim Police Chief Brian Dugan to become the next chief of the Police Department on Tuesday afternoon.
Dugan has been in the position since July, when he was chosen as a temporary replacement for retiring Police Chief Eric Ward. Buckhorn said the "department has not missed a beat" during Dugan's tenure.
"I have watched very closely over the last few months as Brian has demonstrated steadfast leadership through two very significant events," Buckhorn said in reference to Hurricane Irma and the recent murders of three people recently in Tampa's Seminole Heights neighborhood. No one has been arrested in the shooting deaths.
"Each of these situations would have tested the most experienced chief and Brian passed with flying colors," Buckhorn said of the 27-year veteran.
Dugan said he was "thankful and humble" for the opportunity to lead the department.
“The majority of the credit should go to the men and women who work the streets. I look forward to partnering with them to build relationships with the people that we serve and protect the community,” he said.
Dugan was hired by Tampa Police in 1990 and spent several years in the North Tampa district that encompasses Sulphur Springs, Seminole Heights and New Tampa. He has 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.
