The University of Tampa (UTampa) and the Tampa Police Department (TPD) have launched a new formal partnership that will give UTampa graduates a head start toward becoming Tampa police officers by creating a career pathway for students.
The program allows qualifying seniors majoring or minoring in criminology and criminal justice to begin the police academy before graduating. During their final semester, students will attend the TPD police academy full time while completing their degree requirements.
Police academy tuition will be covered through scholarships, and students accepted into the program will be hired as full-time City of Tampa employees when its completed.
As part of the partnership, students will earn academic credit through a new practicum course that counts toward their criminology and criminal justice degree while completing the academy.
After graduating from UTampa, participants will complete the remainder of the police academy requirements before becoming Tampa police officers.
"This allows graduating seniors to get a four-month head start if they want to work for TPD and have a job the day they finish the academy," said Carly Hilinski-Rosick, department chair and professor of criminology and criminal justice at UTampa.
University officials said the partnership is the first of its kind for both UTampa and the city of Tampa. TPD Chief Lee Bercaw said the program represents an investment in the future of policing.
"By working alongside the University of Tampa, we're creating a direct path for students to begin their law enforcement journey with the Tampa Police Department," Bercaw said. "We're proud to welcome the next generation of officers who uphold our mission of making Tampa safer, together."
The first scholarship group will begin the police academy in January 2027, and the university said six students have already applied.
Between now and January, applicants will undergo a physical fitness test, oral panel interview, psychological evaluation, polygraph examination and background investigation.
Students who successfully complete those requirements will begin the police academy in January, graduate from UTampa in May and continue with the academy through July before joining TPD as sworn officers.