TAMPA — A former assistant chief who took a voluntary demotion three years ago to become a captain has been promoted to the rank of major, one of several personnel changes announced Thursday by the Tampa Police Department.
Marc Hamlin will oversee the department's special operations division, which consists of a wide range of specialty teams, including the SWAT, marine and aviation units, among others. He previously served as one of two assistant chiefs before stepping down shortly before the city hosted the Republican National Convention in 2012. The move, which police said Hamlin requested, was for family reasons.
His new role is part of a restructuring of the department's special support division, which has been led by Maj. Michael Baumaister. It will put Hamlin in charge of special operations while Baumaister will oversee support services, which include officer training, records and evidence control.
The change is one by newly appointed police Chief Eric Ward.
Also promoted to the rank of major is Richard O'Connor, who will oversee patrol operations in District 1, which includes South Tampa and West Tampa. O'Connor, a 26-year department veteran, has been a homicide detective, among numerous other roles. He was instrumental in establishing the Tampa police fugitive apprehension unit.
O'Connor replaces Maj. Rocky Ratliff, who will oversee patrol operations in District 3, which includes east Tampa and downtown.
In other personnel moves, Jack Diaz and Calvin Johnson were promoted to captain; Ruth Cate, Rich Mills, Pat Crate and Gary Neal were promoted to lieutenant.
The promotions go into effect June 7.