2 weeks Ago By Deanne King
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) - A historic promotion at the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office resulted in the first African-American Chief Deputy in the department's 180-year history.Anthony Collins has served HCSO for 21 years and is now a Chief Deputy.
Collins is the first African-American to serve in this role, and it's the highest position any African-American has ever held at HCSO.Collins was born and raised in East Tampa, where he attended King High School, and had a relationship with HCSO that started well before he started patrolling the Tampa streets as a deputy."I wasn't the greatest kid growing up, so I got suspended," Collins chuckles while reminiscing.
"I found myself in a program called ATOSS, it was an alternative to out-of-school suspension. Mark Penix was the off-duty deputy working at the ATOSS site, and we ended up building a relationship so much so that he is like a God Dad to me."Anthony Collins becomes first black Chief Deputy in Hillsborough County Sheriff Office historyPanthers top Lightning 6-2 in series openerStudents find empty 9mm cartridge in USF parking lotThat high school suspension is what opened his eyes to a career in law enforcement, which was not typical for someone who looked like him growing up in East Tampa.
"It was pretty abnormal for people in my environment because I grew up in East Tampa," said Collins. "I think the adversity and challenges that people face who grew up in an environment like that are second to none."Collins' interaction with the off-duty deputy led him to HCSO's Explorer Program, a youth program that exposes youth and young adults to different professions and vocations while also exposing them to the law enforcement field.
That taste birthed a dream."I wanted to be like Mike Lowry, like on Bad Boys, work undercover and be on the SWAT," Collins said.It sounds a little wild, but he did.
All of it. Joining HCSO in 2004 while serving in the Army National Guard, Collins started out patrolling the university area, then served on the SWAT team for nine years."I busted and stopped multi-million dollar drug organizations," said Collins.
"I worked with agencies like the FBI and DEA during several operations.Collins was then promoted to Corporal, working crimes against children."This part of my career was a true defining moment," said Collins.
"Crimes against children is tough. No one wants to see an abused 6-month-old; it just makes you work that much harder because you absolutely have to close those cases and get justice for those children."After a couple of years working in crimes against children, Collins rose in the ranks.
He went from Sergeant to Lieutenant to Captain to Major to Colonel and now Chief Deputy."I grew up in a family where no one ever even graduated from college, so it's humbling to come from that point to be here talking to you," Collins said. "It is very, very humbling to be given this position.
First and foremost, my faith is what got me to this point. Believing in God and do the right thing for the right reasons."He gives a lot of credit to Sheriff Chad Chronister; however, his own dedication, work, and respect were not given, but earned.
Chief Deputy Collins now oversees at least 1,000 of the department's 2,000 employees, which includes the Marine unit. He also oversees a $654 million budget.While he may be the first African-American in this position, he is ensuring he won't be the last.
"Truth of the matter is every day I come to work, I don't come to work for me, I come to work for everyone who's coming behind me and to make sure I use this platform so that way those individuals can go further than me," Collins said.Collins is extremely involved in the community. He holds board memberships with the Pace Center for Girls, ACTS Florida, and the Derrick Brooks Charities Youth Programs.
He has earned numerous commendations, which reflect his passion for this community. Collins is a devoted husband and father of two as well..
