Tampa officers buy alcohol, lap dances during undercover operation, internal investigation shows
Evan Axelbank reports
TAMPA, Fla. - Booze, exotic dancers, and lap dances during an undercover operation were at the center of a Tampa Police Department Citizens Review Board hearing Tuesday night.
A Tampa police sergeant has been disciplined after an internal review over a so-called investigation at an Ybor City strip club.
The internal affairs report says officers who went to the strip club gave conflicting reports as to what they were investigating. They got to know the dancers but came up with no new leads.
The undercover operation at Gold Club in Ybor City back in 2020 cost the department’s investigatory fund $421.
Tampa Citizens Review Board holds meeting amid political fight
Evan Axelbank reports
TAMPA, Fla. - Sitting at the same dais where city councilors will determine the future of Tampa Police Department s Citizens Review Board, one member needed clarity. It leaves a bit of confusion for people in the community, said member Carolyn Collins. Are we still here? What are we going to do? How are we going to do it?
Councilors are nearing a final vote to appoint seven members and relegate the mayor to three. It s an emotional fight, given the board s duties of reviewing uses of force by TPD, and it took on new meaning after the death of George Floyd.