TAMPA, Fla. — Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw has submitted a formal letter of resignation to the city, announcing he is stepping down and retiring from his post.
His letter, released on June 9, reads in part: "Leaving this organization is the hardest decision of my career."
Chief Bercaw will be with the Tampa Police Department until Aug. 6.
Read Chief Bercaw's full statement here:
Police Chief Lee Bercaw Retirement Letter 6-9-26 by Tampa Bay 28
Chief Bercaw said he will be taking a teaching post at the University of South Florida.
During a news conference at the Tampa Police Department, Mayor Castor said Assistant Police Chief Brett Owen will become the interim police chief following Bercaw's resignation.
Mayor Castor said she will not appoint a new police chief because she is the outgoing mayor. Castor will leave that responsibility to the newly appointed mayor, who will be elected in March 2027.
This is a developing story. Tampa Bay 28 reporter Jada Williams will provide more details as they become available.
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