TAMPA, FL. (August 2, 2024) — Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw has announced the promotion of 46 dedicated officers and professional staff members to supervisory roles within the department. These promotions include the appointment of new executive staff members to fill vacancies created by retirements.
“I am incredibly proud to announce the promotion of these outstanding public servants,” said Chief Bercaw. “Our department is fortunate to have such an extraordinary pool of candidates, each demonstrating exceptional leadership qualities and a deep commitment to our community. These individuals embody our department’s philosophy of community-oriented policing and will bring fresh perspectives to their new roles. I am confident that they will continue to elevate the successes of our department and enhance public safety for all those in Tampa.”
Deputy Chief Brett Owen will assume the role of overseeing departmental Investigations and Support, previously held by retiring Deputy Chief Mike Hutner. Deputy Chiefs Ruth Cate and Calvin Johnson will continue their leadership in departmental Operations, and Community Outreach and Professional Standards respectively.
Major Jason Dillaha will now lead the Special Operations Division, succeeding retired Deputy Chief Rich Mills, while Major Les Richardson will now oversee District Two Division, previously headed by Deputy Chief Owen.
A formal promotion ceremony will be held on August 16, 2024.
Promotions are as follows:
BRETT OWEN – DEPUTY CHIEF OF INVESTIGATIONS AND SUPPORT
Deputy Chief Brett Owen is an experienced law enforcement professional with an impressive career spanning more than 25 years. Born in Ohio and raised in Haines City, Florida, Deputy Chief Owen graduated from Auburndale High School. His academic pursuits led him to earn an Associate of Science in Criminal Justice from Polk Community College, a Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration from Barry University and he is currently completing a Master of Arts in Criminal Justice from Saint Leo University.
Deputy Chief Owen’s commitment to professional development is evident through his extensive participation in specialized training programs. He has successfully completed the FBI LEEDA Trilogy (Supervisor, Command, and Executive Leadership), the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF) Senior Management Institute for Police (Session #82), the Command Officer Management Program at Saint Leo University (Class #31) and is currently enrolled in the Florida Criminal Justice Executive Institute’s Chief Executive Seminar (Class #57).
Prior to joining the Tampa Police Department in October 2002, Deputy Chief Owen served as a Deputy Sheriff with the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office beginning in 1998. His dedication to public service is deeply rooted in his family history. His grandfather, Edward Owen, retired as a Lieutenant from the Shaker Heights (OH) Police Department after a 27-year career.
Deputy Chief Owen’s tenure in Tampa has been marked by a steady progression through various roles, including patrol, specialized units, and leadership positions. He has served as a patrol officer, detective, corporal, sergeant, lieutenant, captain, and is currently the Deputy Chief overseeing the investigative and support functions of the department.
Deputy Chief Owen’s career highlights include successfully bringing the Police Athletic League (PAL) program back under the Tampa Police umbrella and mentoring numerous officers and supervisors. His ability to build lasting relationships with the community, coupled with his servant leadership style, has been instrumental in his success.
Deputy Chief Owen’s combination of education, experience, and leadership qualities make him an asset to the Tampa Police Department and all those who work, reside in, and visit the City of Tampa.
JASON DILLAHA – MAJOR, SPECIAL OPERATIONS DIVISION
Major Jason Dillaha has a distinguished law enforcement career spanning over two decades with the Tampa Police Department. Born in Dearborn, Michigan, and raised in Livonia, Michigan, Major Dillaha’s upbringing instilled a strong sense of community and public service. He graduated from Madonna University, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice.
Major Dillaha’s journey with Tampa Police began on May 20, 2002, when he joined the department as a sponsored police academy recruit. His career path within the department is a testament to his dedication and commitment to public service. From his initial assignment as a patrol officer to his current position as Major, he has held a variety of roles, including plain-clothes investigations, detective, sergeant, lieutenant, and captain. His leadership experience is extensive, encompassing roles such as Shift Commander, Specialty Teams Commander, Crowd Management Group Commander, and Deputy Incident Commander for Hurricane Irma response.
Major Dillaha’s leadership style is characterized as calm, consistent, and fair. He believes in fostering a supportive atmosphere that encourages innovation and professional growth within the department. His focus on building trust and positive relationships with the community is evident in his belief that every interaction is an opportunity to demonstrate approachability and kindness.
LES RICHARDSON II – MAJOR, DISTRICT TWO DIVISION (North Tampa, New Tampa)
Major Les Richardson II is a devoted public servant in the law enforcement profession, boasting an exceptional career of over two decades. Born and raised on St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, at the age of eighteen he left to pursue higher education on a music scholarship at Delaware State University in Dover, Delaware, where he earned dual bachelor’s degrees in criminal justice and sociology.
Prior to joining the Tampa Police Department in 2001, Major Richardson gained valuable experience working in juvenile probation. After being sponsored through the police academy by the Tampa Police Department, Major Richardson began his tenure with a foundational role in patrol. His career trajectory has been marked by a diverse range of assignments, including narcotics investigations, gang unit operations, and school resource officer duties. As a School Resource Officer at Middleton High School, he developed a deep understanding of community needs and forged lasting relationships.
At each level in his career, Major Richardson has prioritized professional development, community engagement, and relationship-building. He is a graduate of the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) Leadership in Police Organizations program and the University of Chicago School of Public Policy Policing Leadership Academy. As the profession of law enforcement continues to evolve, Major Richardson is committed to staying at the forefront of best practices and emerging trends to ensure the Tampa Police Department remains a model of excellence in public safety.
ADDITIONAL PROMOTIONS:
CAPTAIN
Lisa Purcell
Regina Zeigler
LIEUTENANT
Brian Bishop
Dora De La Rosa
Jeremy Groen
Roni Hill
William Logan
Kenneth Petrillo
Jordan Russell
SERGEANT
Mark Belmonte
Aaron Campbell
Michael Drayton
Michael Ferguson
David Hassett
Juan Hernandez
Steven Hogan
Terelle Jackson
Jamielynn Monte
Levi Newton
Keith Powell
Chrystal Shiver
CORPORAL/DETECTIVE
Jacob Alderman
Charnelle Baker
Ricky Diaz
Raynaldo Figueroa
Daniel Ford
Matthew Klimkoski
Daniel Klotzbach
Joel McKee
Katherine Ramirez
Matthew Reynolds
Brian Samuel
Nicole Sousa-Paraliticci
Robert Sudler
Jorge Tamargo
Monika Terry
Christopher Vernon
James Wilcher
Jerry Wyche
Steven Zawacki
Hector Zurita
FORENSIC INVESTIGATIONS SHIFT SUPERVISOR
Ivan Reese
EVIDENCE SERVICES ASSISTANT SUPERVISOR
Kristina Hill