Retired Tampa police officer arrested on 100 counts of child pornography, TPD chief says

TAMPA, Fla. - A retired Tampa police officer was arrested on 100 counts of child pornography Wednesday afternoon, according to TPD Chief Mary O'Connor. 

Paul Mumford, 61, worked in the Tampa Police Department's sex crimes unit before retiring in 2015, according to O'Connor. She said he was also a reserve officer who worked voluntarily, but he was relieved of duty in February. 

"We don't tolerate this kind of behavior," said O'Connor. "This is not this is not tolerable behavior by a Tampa Police officer. We're going to continue to serve with honor and respect and we're going to treat everyone with dignity and respect. And this is going to be an anomaly of a case."

TPD said they were told Mumford had illegal images of children on his electronic devices in December 2021. Detectives with the department executed search warrants on Mumford's two homes in Hillsborough County and North Florida. 

There, they found dozens of images of child porn on his personal devices, as well as stories that appear to be authored by Mumford, involving children in sexual situations. TPD said he was immediately relieved of duty. He was officially terminated February 15. 

"Mumford worked in Tampa PD Sex Crimes Unit from 2008 to 2009," said O'Connor. "At this time, we do not have any information that indicates he obtained any of the images from the department. However, it is still a very active and ongoing investigation." 

Mumford remains in the Hillsborough County Jail on $750,000 bond. O'Connor said it's possible that more charges are pending.

Mumford started with TPD in 1986 and served as a police officer until he retired in September 2015 as a sergeant. He returned in October 2015 as a reserve officer, which is a volunteer position, according to TPD officials.