TAMPA, FL (January 8, 2026) - - As the Tampa Police Department enters 2026, it is strengthening its commitment to innovation and public safety with the implementation of transformative AI-powered platforms that will make our community safer.
"By integrating cutting-edge technologies, we are empowering Tampa Police Officers and Communications personnel with real-time intelligence and live-streamed visuals as they answer a call for help," said Chief Lee Bercaw. "These tools do more than just improve response times, they remove language barriers, improve training, and enhance de-escalation, ensuring that every member of our diverse community is protected by a department that is more informed, more connected, and more prepared than ever to keep Tampa safe."
Some of the new technologies that have been implemented include:
- Prepared 911: This system allows Tampa Police Communications personnel to process calls to 911 with unprecedented speed while also providing access to real-time translation in multiple languages. Call takers can also send a secure link to a caller’s smartphone, enabling them to live stream video directly to the Communications Center. This provides first responders with vital visual context before they arrive on the scene, a crucial factor in critical situations.
- Axon Assistant & Policy Chat: Tampa Police are also expanding the functionality of body-worn cameras. Officers now have access to real-time translation in over 50 languages and voice-activated policy guidance with official citations. These tools remove language barriers and any translation delay, while also ensuring officers can make high-stakes decisions with confidence while keeping their focus on the community members they serve.
- Virtual Reality Immersive Training Pods: The VR Pods feature verbal skills training, where AI-driven virtual characters respond in real-time to an officer's voice commands and tone. This allows for repeatable practice of de-escalation techniques. As officers progress, they move into Virtual Reality-Based Training, navigating high-stress, 360-degree video simulations that mirror real-world calls for service, allowing them to practice responding in a controlled environment, and strengthening their ability to stabilize real-world encounters before they escalate.
- The Drone as First Responder (DFR) program provides improved efficiency in emergency response to calls for service. The high-tech drones can launch the instant a 911 call is received and can often reach the scene minutes ahead of patrol officers on the ground, providing a critical head start when every second counts. This innovative approach acts as a powerful force multiplier, streamlining coordination and ensuring that responding officers are empowered with the real-time intelligence they need to make Tampa even safer.
These advancements are integral in the department's mission to work in partnership with our community to reduce crime, improve quality of life, and make Tampa safer, together..
Be sure to follow Tampa Police Department on our social media apps (links below) as we share some of these new technologies in action!