TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) – Historic promotion at the Hillsboro County Sheriff’s Office became the first African-American chief in the department’s 180-year history.
Anthony Collins has been HCSO for 21 years and is now Prime Minister.
Collins was the first African American to serve in this role, and the highest position African Americans have ever held at HCSO.
Collins was born and raised in East Tampa, where he attended King High School and was associated with HCSO, which began before he patrols on Tampa Street on behalf of Tampa Street.
“I was interrupted because I wasn’t the best child growing up,” Collins laughs as he remembers. “I appeared in a program called Atoss, which was an alternative to out-of-school suspension. Markpenix was a non-working agent who worked for the Athos site.
The high school halt was a focus on a career in law enforcement, and was not typical for anyone who appeared to have grown up in East Tampa.
“I grew up in East Tampa and it was pretty extraordinary for the people in my environment,” Collins said. “I think the adversity and challenges that people who grew up in such an environment are unlike anyone to beat.”
Interaction with Collins’ non-working agent led him to the HCSO Explorer program. This exposes young people and young adults to a wide range of occupations and occupations, while also exposing them to law enforcement fields. The taste created a dream.
“I wanted to be like Mike Laurie. I was like the Bad Boys, I was infiltrating and working at SWAT,” Collins said.
It sounds a little wild, but he did. all. While working for the Army National Guard in 2004, Collins began patrols for the University Region and worked for the SWAT team for nine years.
“I arrested and stopped a multi-million dollar drug group,” Collins said. “We worked with agents such as the FBI and DEA during some of our operations.
Collins then committed a crime against a child and was promoted to chief cor.
“This part of my career was a truly defining moment,” Collins said. “Crimes against children are tough. I don’t want to see people who have been abused for six months. You’ll be so hard because you have to absolutely close those cases and get the righteousness of those children.”
After working for several years on crimes against children, Collins rose to rank.
He went from sergeant to lieutenant colonel to captain, major and now chief.
“I grew up in a family where no one ever graduated from college, so it’s humble to come from here and talk to you,” Collins said. “It’s very humble to be given this position. First and foremost, my faith has led me to this point. Believe in God and do the right thing for the right reasons.”
He gives Sheriff Chad Cronister a lot of credit. However, he was not given his own dedication, work, or respect, but he won.
Currently, Deputy Director Collins oversees at least 1,000 of its 2,000 employees, including the Maritime Forces. He also oversees a $654 million budget.
He may be the first African American in this position, but he assures him that he is not the last.
“The truth behind the problem is that I come to work every day. I won’t be working for me. I will work for everyone who’s coming behind me and use this platform to make sure those individuals can move ahead of me,” Collins said.
Collins is very involved in the community. He holds board membership in the Pace Center for Girls, Act Florida and Derrick Brooks Charity Youth Program. He has earned many accolades, which reflects his passion for this community. Collins is a devoted husband and father of two.
