St. Petersburg College Established Police Department

The institution launched an internal force following the passage of Florida House Bill 757.

Updated on Sept. 25, 2026 in Law Enforcement

St. Petersburg College Established Police Department

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St. Petersburg College officially inaugurated an internal police department in September 2026 to enhance campus safety. The move follows the passage of Florida House Bill 757, which supports the transition to a sworn law enforcement unit.

Why it matters

The new department aims to address campus safety concerns, including behavioral issues at public libraries, while providing authorized access to restricted law enforcement information. It also mandates that a sworn officer participate in institutional threat management teams.

The college currently employs 30 security officers and plans to hire five sworn officers within the next year. This initiative follows the approval of Florida House Bill 757 in May 2026.

The players

Andrew MacPherson

He serves as the chief of the new St. Petersburg College police department.

Tracy Smith

She serves as the deputy chief of the St. Petersburg College police department.

St. Petersburg College

This is an institution of higher learning that recently established its own internal police department.

The details

The newly formed force operates in collaboration with existing campus security operations. Chief Andrew MacPherson and Deputy Chief Tracy Smith lead the department, which was authorized by the Board of Trustees in the summer of 2026.

The Board of Trustees approved the exploration of the department in October 2025.
Florida House Bill 757 passed in May 2026.
The Board of Trustees officially approved the force in the summer of 2026.
The ceremonial swearing-in occurred in September 2026.
The college plans to hire five sworn officers within the next year.

Legal Context

The creation of this department aligns with recent legislative efforts to bolster campus security through authorized law enforcement units. Florida House Bill 757 provides the regulatory framework that allowed the college to transition from a security-only model to a sworn force.

Students and faculty can expect a formal law enforcement presence on campus, including sworn officers on threat management teams. This change is designed to improve safety protocols for those frequenting college facilities and public library areas.

The takeaway

The transition to an internal police department reflects a broader trend of institutions seeking greater control over campus safety and information access. Residents and students should note that these officers will now have access to restricted background data previously unavailable to security staff.