MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, FL--Beginning at an early age, Master Sgt. Sue Libertz, first sergeant 45th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron, MacDill Air Force Base, FL had a clear vision for her career goals.
“I’ve always aspired to be a police officer,” Libertz said, “My father served as a police officer for 20 years, also served in both the Marines and Army for eight years.”
Growing up, Libertz’s father expressed to her and her siblings that he didn’t want them to become cops because he knew the dangers that could present themselves on the streets. However, one day that is forever etched in the minds of Americans, Libertz decided to go against her fathers wishes. That day was Sept. 11th, 2001.
“That day was really a game changer for me,” said Libertz. “It was one of the worst days in American history, but it also provided me with clarity about what my purpose is, and seeing the first responders take action made me feel like I needed to step up.”
Stationed at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J. with the 514th Security Forces Squadron at the time, Libertz remembered her experience with members of the New York City Police Department who were reservists that were called to active duty after the devastating attacks.
“Those guys were incredibly influential for me to take the next step in becoming a police officer,” she said. “I worked closely with them for a while and I got the chance to listen to their stories and it reminded me a lot of the stories that my father used to tell me, and ultimately that’s what drove me to becoming a cop.”
After serving a number of years at JB MDL, Libertz took her first community policing job in the city of Largo, Florida where she built upon skills she obtained through rigorous training with security forces.
Two years after joining the Largo PD, Libertz transitioned to the Tampa Police Department and now serves as a detective within the police department.
“Since moving to Tampa, I’ve been astounded by the immense amount of support for not only the police, but the military as well,” said Libertz. “The community is actively engaged with providing veterans a myriad of programs aimed to assist with all facets of veteran life and that’s one of the things I love about living here.”
Serving both in the Air Force Reserve and Tampa Police, Libertz has shown a natural ability to use her experience in both realms to serve both veteran and law enforcement communities. This track record of service before self-led Libertz to be appointed by the Mayor of Tampa Bob Buckhorn and the Chief of Police Brian Duggan as the TPD Military Affairs Liaison.
As the Military Affairs Liaison, Libertz functions as a resource for police employees and community members who have served, or are currently serving, in the armed forces.
An initiative Libertz led was allowing officers to wear pins on their duty uniform displaying the branch of service in which they served, or are currently serving. Libertz hopes these pins will enable officers to establish a connection with members of the community during their day-to-day interactions.
“Make no mistake, Tampa is a military town,” Buckhorn said. “I believe that this aggressive initiative will make a difference in the lives of those veterans we come across, and I know by extension it will make a difference in our community as a whole.”
Tampa is home to an estimated 22,000 veterans, among one of the highest veteran populations in the country. Through military and community partnerships Libertz has cultivated, she will have the resources at her disposal to improve the quality of life for Tampa’s veteran community and within the Tampa PD family.
“I don’t see what I do as work,” said the Philadelphia native. “I love what I do each and every day, anytime that I am able to help our young troops who are new to the military, or assist with the veteran that doesn’t know his benefits, I use that as an opportunity to give back what I’ve learned, and that’s what keeps me focused.”