TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) – A historic promotion on the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Workplace resulted within the first African-American Chief Deputy within the division’s 180-year historical past.
Anthony Collins has served HCSO for 21 years and is now a Chief Deputy.
Collins is the primary African-American to serve on this position, and it is the very best place any African-American has ever held at HCSO.
Collins was born and raised in East Tampa, the place he attended King Excessive College, and had a relationship with HCSO that began effectively earlier than he began patrolling the Tampa streets as a deputy.
“I wasn’t the best child rising up, so I received suspended,” Collins chuckles whereas reminiscing. “I discovered myself in a program known as ATOSS, it was a substitute for out-of-school suspension. Mark Penix was the off-duty deputy working on the ATOSS website, and we ended up constructing a relationship a lot so that he’s like a God Dad to me.”
That top college suspension is what opened his eyes to a profession in legislation enforcement, which was not typical for somebody who regarded like him rising up in East Tampa.
“It was fairly irregular for folks in my surroundings as a result of I grew up in East Tampa,” stated Collins. “I feel the adversity and challenges that individuals face who grew up in an surroundings like which can be second to none.”
Collins’ interplay with the off-duty deputy led him to HCSO’s Explorer Program, a youth program that exposes youth and younger adults to completely different professions and vocations whereas additionally exposing them to the legislation enforcement subject. That style birthed a dream.
“I wished to be like Mike Lowry, like on Dangerous Boys, work undercover and be on the SWAT,” Collins stated.
It sounds a bit wild, however he did. All of it. Becoming a member of HCSO in 2004 whereas serving within the Military Nationwide Guard, Collins began out patrolling the college space, then served on the SWAT group for 9 years.
“I busted and stopped multi-million greenback drug organizations,” stated Collins. “I labored with companies just like the FBI and DEA throughout a number of operations.
Collins was then promoted to Corporal, working crimes towards kids.
“This a part of my profession was a real defining second,” stated Collins. “Crimes towards kids is hard. Nobody needs to see an abused 6-month-old; it simply makes you’re employed that a lot tougher since you completely have to shut these instances and get justice for these kids.”
After a few years working in crimes towards kids, Collins rose within the ranks.
He went from Sergeant to Lieutenant to Captain to Main to Colonel and now Chief Deputy.
“I grew up in a household the place nobody ever even graduated from school, so it is humbling to return from that time to be right here speaking to you,” Collins stated. “It is rather, very humbling to be given this place. At the start, my religion is what received me thus far. Believing in God and do the correct factor for the correct causes.”
He provides loads of credit score to Sheriff Chad Chronister; nevertheless, his personal dedication, work, and respect weren’t given, however earned.
Chief Deputy Collins now oversees no less than 1,000 of the division’s 2,000 staff, which incorporates the Marine unit. He additionally oversees a $654 million finances.
Whereas he would be the first African-American on this place, he’s guaranteeing he will not be the final.
“Reality of the matter is day-after-day I come to work, I do not come to work for me, I come to work for everybody who’s coming behind me and to ensure I take advantage of this platform in order that approach these people can go additional than me,” Collins stated.
Collins is extraordinarily concerned in the neighborhood. He holds board memberships with the Tempo Heart for Ladies, ACTS Florida, and the Derrick Brooks Charities Youth Applications. He has earned quite a few commendations, which replicate his ardour for this neighborhood. Collins is a faithful husband and father of two as effectively.
