Some of LPD's top executive staff, left to right: Captain Tye Thompson, Captain Micheal Lewis, Assistant Chief Steve Pacheco, Chief Sam Taylor, Sergeant Shaun Carver, Captain Cheryl Kimball, Assistant Chief Marvin Tarver, Captain Ed Cain and Assistant Chief Hans Lehman.
Some of LPD's top executive staff, left to right: Capt. Tye Thompson, Capt. Michael Lewis, Asst. Chief Steve Pacheco, Chief Sam Taylor, Sgt. Shaun Carver, Capt. Cheryl Kimball, Asst. Chief Marvin Tarver, Capt. Ed Cain and Asst. Chief Hans Lehman. | Lakeland Police Department
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The Lakeland Police Department has renamed its Street Crimes Unit, although LPD officials said nothing about its function or mission has changed.

The unit is now called the Special Investigations Section Tactical Unit and continues to be made up of eight officers and one sergeant.

Through a spokesperson, Chief Sam Taylor said the name change has been a topic of discussion since he took office. 

“This unit’s mission, as always, is extremely flexible and has many functions to include building entries for search warrants, surveillance, intelligence, gang initiatives, short term drug investigations and any unique problem-solving initiatives (like) burglary, robbery, stakeouts, etc.,” LPD spokeswoman Stephanie Kerr wrote in an email.

Sgt. Nicholas Rex is the supervisor. 

The Street Crimes Unit faced scrutiny following the videotaped arrest of a convicted drug dealer in December 2022. Those involved were cleared of wrongdoing. 

The rebranding came amidst the resignations of three officers and a sergeant after it was discovered they had violated LPD policy. The men denied wrongdoing. 

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Kimberly C. Moore, who grew up in Lakeland, has been a print, broadcast and multimedia journalist for more than 30 years. Before coming to LkldNow in the spring of 2022, she was a reporter for four years with The Ledger, first covering Lakeland City Hall and then Polk County schools. She is the author of “Star Crossed: The Story of Astronaut Lisa Nowak," published by University Press of Florida. Reach her at kimberly@lkldnow.com or 863-272-9250.

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