The current Tampa PBA came into existance in 2008 and represents approximately 1,000 Tampa police officers. The general purpose of our association is to promote professionalism among law enforcement personnel and to protect their rights and privileges. We also provide labor relations assistance and collective bargaining services for contract negotiations. In addition, we continually seek to enhance the public's support of Tampa police officers by informing them of the problems in law enforcement. We are an aggressive, pro-active law enforcement association joined together with a professional staff that seeks to protect the rights of Tampa police officers.
We are politically active within the State of Florida Legislature:
Associated with the Florida Police Benevolent Association, we are 36,000 strong throughout the State of Florida. In Tallahassee, the PBA employs a full-time staff of lobbyists to aid in obtaining legislation beneficial to the Law Enforcement profession. We also maintain a constant watch on the local scene to be politically involved in local elections.
P.A.C. Fund: The PBA (State & County) has a political action fund that contributes to local and state political races which in turn helps influence our candidates to take a strong stance on law enforcement.
On 01/28/09 we established the Tampa Police Benevolent Association Charity Fund, Inc., a 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable organization. This fund was established for the benefit of the City of Tampa police officers killed or wounded in the line of duty and their dependant families; to aid said police officers and their dependent families in medical, financial or catastrophic need; to financially assist the City of Tampa Honor Guard with expenses and to establish a scholastic scholarship for City of Tampa police officers and their dependant families. Shortly after establishing this fund Corporal Mike Roberts was killed in the line of duty on 08/19/09. Within 24 hours the Tampa PBA had a $10,000 check from this fund in the hands of his family.
On April 13, 2009 we hosted our 1st Annual Our Heroes' Memorial Golf Tournament, proceeds from which go to the Tampa Police Honor Guard and the Tampa Police Benevolent Association Charity Fund. Our inaugural event grossed $20,000 and we netted $5,000. Half of the proceeds ($2,500) went to the Tampa Police Honor Guard and the remainder ($2,500) went into our Charity Fund. The Our Heroes' Memorial Golf Tournament is an annual event occurring on Monday, the day after Easter Sunday.
On April 5, 2010 we hosted our 2nd Annual Our Heroes' Memorial Golf Tournament and gave a $3,000 check to the Tampa Police Honor Guard. Due to the generosity of Bob and Margarete Greenhalgh who had a personal and life saving experience thanks to Tampa police, a $5,000 donation was made to the Tampa PBA Charity Fund in addition to other monies raised from the event.