Lee Bercaw

With federal funding obtained by U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor, the department will begin purchasing the new vehicles for future use.

Police Chief Lee Bercaw called Tuesday's shooting near Armature Works, which involved two groups of teens, "disheartening" and urged the community to help educate youth about the dangers.

As a 21-year-old faces gun charges in the Oct. 29 shootings, police announced law enforcement agencies are offering additional rewards for information leading to arrests.

Police continue to ask for assistance from anyone who might have information on the Oct. 29 shooting that killed two and injured 16 others.

A 22-year-old faces a charge of second-degree murder in a shooting in Ybor City in which two were killed, including a 14-year-old. It followed an altercation between him and another person, and led to gunfire just before bars were set to close Sunday at 3 a.m.

He has been with the Tampa Police Department for nearly 27 years, serving in several roles.

Tampa Police Chief Lee Barcaw said currently, the department has 984 officers, with a less than 5% vacancy rate. He said another 31 officers will be hired on in March, leaving just 14 vacancies total.

An internal investigation found that Mary O’Connor violated regulations involving “standard of conduct” and “abuse of position or identification” after she and her husband were pulled over.

Police Chief Mary O'Connor is under investigation after bodycam video showed her flashing her badge to a deputy during a traffic stop. Assistant Chief Lee Berkaw is acting chief.

She faced disciplinary action after showing a Pinellas County deputy her badge when she and her husband were pulled over for driving a golf cart without a license plate.