Department of Operational Support

In 2004, Colonel Anthony Collins began his career as a Deputy Sheriff with the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, while simultaneously being enlisted in the Army National Guard.

Starting his career in patrol, Colonel Collins has held various deputy and detective assignments in the following areas: Street Crimes, Sheriff’s Target Area Response Squad, Tactical Intelligence Team, and the Major Violators Unit which is responsible for disrupting and dismantling drug trafficking organizations. In addition to the many assignments Colonel Collins had, he also served on the S.W.A.T. team for nine years. Colonel Collins was promoted to a supervisory role in 2014. As a supervisor, Colonel Collins has supervised patrol deputies, and detectives assigned to the Juvenile Services Section, General Offense and District Intelligence Unit. Colonel Collins served as the District V Patrol Operations, District Deputy Commander and District Commander, prior to being promoted to the rank of Colonel where he now leads the Department of Operational Support.

Colonel Collins is a graduate of Saint Leo University and holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Criminal Justice with a concentration in Homeland Security and a Master of Science Degree in Criminal Justice with a concentration in Critical Incident Management. Additionally, Colonel Collins is a graduate of the prestigious FBI National Academy’s 280th Session and the Police Executive Research Forum’s Senior Management for Police Institute 75th Session.

Colonel Collins has earned many commendations. His civic associations include board membership positions at Pace Center for Girls, ACTS Florida, Derrick Brooks Charities Youth Programs and Hillsborough County School Board’s – Achievement Schools Community and Family Relations. A native of Tampa, Fl., Colonel Collins is married and has two children.