Officers assist in Hurricane Ian response and recovery efforts.
The Plant City Police Department has dispatched four officers to Northport to deal with the aftermath of Hurricane Ian. Residents there continue to recover from storm-related problems such as flooding, road blockages due to fallen trees, and power outages.
Hurricane Ian hits southwestern Florida, devastating homes, businesses and beaches. More than 100 people have been confirmed dead in Florida as the storm hits.
PCPD Sergeant Paul Tester and Officers Justin Castro, Vincent Wise, and Samuel Sherling, along with 42 Tampa Police Department officers and two officers from the Tampa International Airport, rescued 40 Tampa police officers stationed in Northport shortly after the storm. police officers and 15 Tampa firefighters. Police officers help clear debris, assist with transportation, and provide a variety of assistance to residents in need.
All four officers are members of the PCPD’s Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT). CIRT is his 10-person special operations group with tactical training in handling particularly dangerous police work. Established in January 2022, the team handles emergency assistance such as hostage and barricaded suspect situations, high-risk warrant services, and other situations where extreme danger is anticipated. You are asked to The team works with several other local law enforcement agencies, including the Tampa Police Department, Hillsborough and Polk County Sheriff’s Office, for training.
Before leaving for Northport, the team assisted with hurricane clearing operations in Plant City and helped clear road debris. His PCPD chief, Jim Bradford, said the four applicants had asked to be part of the deployed team before logistics were finalized. “These officers are symbols of service and sacrifice because they put the needs of others before their own and help make our community a better place,” he said. I got
Most people leave their friends and family behind and work 12-hour shifts in unhospitable conditions.
“I am very proud of their commitment and willingness to respond to the call to serve not only the citizens of Plant City and Hillsborough County, but other Florida residents in need,” he said. .
Bradford commented that out of the thousands of applicants he has seen, one thing applicants and those who are hired have in common is a strong commitment to serving their communities.
For Wise, helping people is his job. “That’s why we are here,” he said. “Usually we serve the residents of Plant City, but this time we are helping the residents of Northport.”
The tester agrees. “We go where they are most needed,” he said.
When the officers return to Plant City, they will be debriefed and the pastor will be able to speak to them if necessary.
Bradford and other police leaders waited Friday morning at the Tampa Police Training Facility at 116 S. 34th St. in Tampa to “applaud” the convoy as it began its journey to the North Harbor.
They won’t be the last.
“This is the first of many groups supporting ongoing efforts because we can do more and do more,” said Bradford. “We will continue to send as many officers as possible.”
