Back the Blue Award to Hillsborough County Lieutenant

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Attorney General Ashley Moody today recognized Lieutenant Anthony Collins from the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office for his unrelenting dedication to his community and the state of Florida. The Attorney General presented Lt. Collins with the Attorney General’s Back the Blue Award at the Florida Cabinet meeting in Tallahassee.

Lt. Collins grew up in a dangerous neighborhood in Tampa and that inspired him to become a law enforcement officer. Lt. Collins uses his personal experience to create positive relationships between local law enforcement and the community, especially youth struggling with anger management and drug abuse. Lt. Collins goes beyond his official duties every week to meet with at risk kids and get to know them and serve as a role model. Lt. Collins also participates in Achievement Schools, which is made up of 50 schools in the county, and serves on the Community Advocacy Board that seeks to get parents more engaged with their children.

Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “When Lt. Collins patrols the communities he is sworn to protect, he brings with him a lifetime of experiences, relationships and passion for the citizens he serves. To him, policing is personal, and Lt. Collins is committed, not only to the safety of these citizens, but to their well-being. I am in awe of his story and his ambition to make the community a better place. Lt. Collins’ desire to see everyone around him succeed has shined a light on his own success. I am proud to have him represent the law enforcement community and honored to present him the Attorney General’s Back the Blue Award.”

Lieutenant Anthony Collins said, “As a young man growing up in a neighborhood overrun with drugs and violent crime, I realized that in order to make a difference, I needed to put myself in a place to do so. The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office has helped me bridge the gap between law enforcement and the communities I love, and I am committed to helping. In order to effectively serve them, we have to first understand them, know who they are and what is important to them. That means you have to be transparent and you have to be there. We are all striving to build stronger and safer communities and for me, nothing could be more important."

Serving as the Community Liaison for the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, Lt. Collins establishes intentional relationships with youth, faith-based institutions, community leaders and citizens throughout the community. Lt. Collins also assists with the procurements of financial resources for youth programs, scholarships and mentorships.

Lt. Collins is from Tampa, raised in the high crime and disadvantaged neighborhood of College Hill. After graduating from King High School, Lt. Collins enlisted in the Army National Guard and served eight years. Lt. Collins began his career with the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office in 2004 and has served many positions, both as a deputy and supervisor. Lt. Collins currently sits on the Board of Directors for Pace Center for Girls, Derrick Brooks Charities Youth Programs Executive Board, Hillsborough County Public School’s Achievement Schools Community and Family Relations Board. Lt. Collins is also a member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.
 
Attorney General Ashley Moody’s Back the Blue campaign highlights law enforcement officers, citizens and organizations taking extraordinary steps to forge positive relationships between law enforcement and the communities they serve. Supporting law enforcement is a top priority for Attorney General Moody and the mission of Back the Blue is to commend Florida’s brave law enforcement officers and Floridians who back them.