Trip To Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office

Today we got to build off of what we've already learned previously about public records. We went to the Hilsborough County Sheriff's office and got to see the public relations aspect of there branch. The whole trip was informative and of much help. We learned about press releases and information given to reporters.

Deputy Larry McKinnon, Public Information Officer, did a good job at telling us how he and the system work in regards to the press releases. He was a former sheriff which helped that he had experience from both sides of the situation. His analogies about fighting off the hungry dogs was funny and explained in great detail the relationship with reporters. It was encouraging to hear because I always assumed there was friction amongst reporters and the police department.

The information we received about being able to go on the Hillsborough County website to look up arrests was cool. I found myself searching for friends and co-workers on the site and found out some interesting information about one of my managers. I highly recommend searching for people. It's funny what you can come up with.

http://www.hcso.tampa.fl.us/PublicInquiry/ArrestInquiry

This will definitely help looking up or given public officials. I guess I've never hoped for someone to get in a little trouble in my life. That would make the project a tad bit easier.

The second part of the tour was much more exciting than the first stage. We took a trip to the 911 control room where Brad Herron, who is the and his team Communication Commander of 911's Operations, and his team gave a tour and explained the inter workings of the 911 call center.

I was not aware until the trip that all 911 calls are public records. The stipulation is that the names and addresses are edited out.



I was blown away by the 911 control room. The people who gave us the tours were very polite and eager to teach us about what they do. The amount of composure it takes to be a 911 operator is incredible. I couldn't imagine having the pressure on me knowing that if I make the wrong call, someone may die.



It was reassuring to hear that the operators go through extensive training before they're even aloud on the operating floor. Then there is a supervisor monitoring all their calls they receive.

Did you know that there are different police agencies for different zone you are in at the time of the call to 911? Apparently the TPD, (Tampa Police Department) are less responsive than most other departments. I think something needs to be changed about all the zoning restrictions.

A student in our class made an example of someone suspicious being in her neighborhood, and no policeman came to check on the person actually making the call. This seems wrong, regardless of whether or not an officer came by the area to check it out.

With as organized as the actual operators in the 911 system seem, I feel like making the zones and police departments a little more organized just seems logical. What if that suspicious guy came and did harm to a neighbor? Somebody called to help, but the police didn't take it serious enough.

The other side of that coin is that they can't check every call, can they? What about the people who call for every little thing, or as they call it 911 abuse? There creates a sense of the "boy crying wolf" syndrome. I'm not sure there's a proper system that would be better than the one currently in place. Does anyone have any ideas on how to improve it?


The phone call at the end of the tour was bone-chilling. The quick thinking that must be done during times of emergency is scary. I could definitely tell that the cops in the call were in a state of panic. The fact they kept asking where the pursuit was after being repeatedly told meant right there the operator had to help them keep their composure.

Next trip is the Orient county jail. I'll keep you posted on how that trip is. I'm sure we will see plenty of interesting characters.