A rookie and veteran to compliment ZPD
The Zephyrhills Police Department is operating at full strength after chief Derek Brewer swore in two new officers Monday night.
From opposite sides of the spectrum, Brewer added a true rookie in Officer Pedro Miliano and a seasoned veteran in retired Tampa Police Officer Larry Brass. The two were introduced to City Council and were administered the oath.
Miliano, originally from Puerto Rico, fulfilled a life-long dream becoming a law enforcement officer by joining the ZPD. He graduated from the Law Enforcement Academy at Pasco-Hernando State College and served on the honor guard for his class.
Brass is continuing a life-long commitment to public service joining the Zephyrhills Police Department. An Air Force Veteran, Brass joined the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office 20 years ago as a detention deputy. After seven years with the HCSO, Brass became a sworn police officer for the City of Tampa. He retired from TPD in July of 2020.
“It was purely coincidental,” Brewer said of swearing in a rookie and veteran. “A lot of times we talk about how much we love having that youth because we want to have that energy. A lot of times that youth doesn’t have that experience to deal with life experience issues they are going to deal with.
“Having that balance of experience and new is really beneficial to both. We’re excited for both of them. They are going to work out great here. They are both committed to the mission of the police department regardless of where they are coming from.”
For the first time in over two years, Brewer’s department is at full staff and with the continuous growth of the city; he will request more officers in the 2021-22 city budget.
