ASSISTANT CHIEF MARVIN TARVER
Assistant Chief Marvin Tarver has served in law enforcement for over 30 years. He began his career with the Polk County Sheriff's Office in 1991. Shortly afterward, he became dual certified and accepted a police officer's position with the City of Auburndale Police Department in 1993. He subsequently assumed roles as a Community-Oriented Police Officer practicing community policing in various neighborhoods and later as a School Resource Officer.
In 1996, Marvin was hired by the Lakeland Police Department. He has served as a Uniform Patrol Officer, Community Oriented Police Officer, Street Crimes Officer, Special Investigations Detective, Criminal Investigations Detective, Critical Incident Peer Support Member, and Tactical Entry Operator and Sniper on the Special Weapons and Tactics Team (SWAT).
In 2010, Marvin was promoted to Police Sergeant, where he supervised officers in the Uniform Patrol Division. He was later assigned to the Special Investigations Division, where he supervised the Community Response Team. This covert plain-clothes unit utilized tactical problem-solving techniques to address criminal activity in the City of Lakeland's residential neighborhoods and business districts.
In 2013, Marvin was promoted to Police Lieutenant. As a Lieutenant, Marvin oversaw the Uniform Patrol Division-Alpha Squad and, later, the Special Investigations Section, which is primarily responsible for the detection and apprehension of individuals involved in the illegal sale, distribution, and possession of controlled substances.
In 2019, Marvin was promoted to Police Captain, where he directed the daily operations of the Uniform Patrol Division, which consisted of approximately 130 sworn and civilian personnel. In 2020, Captain Tarver was assigned to the Support Services Division, where he was responsible for the direction, planning, and coordination of the Training Unit, Hiring and Recruiting, Records, Communications, and Property and Evidence.
From June 2021 to December 2022, Marvin has commanded the Community Services Division, which encompasses the Police Athletic League, the School Resource Officer Unit, the Community Services Unit, and Victim's Assistance Unit. On December 2, 2022, he was promoted to his current position of Assistant Chief, commanding the Neighborhood Services Bureau.
Marvin participated on the first SWAT Roundup Team at Lakeland Police Department to win the International SWAT Roundup Competition held in Orlando, FL. He has received a number of awards throughout his career, some of which include the Distinguished Performance Award, the Meritorious Service Award, the President's Roundtable Police Officer of the Year Award and the Chief's Award.
Marvin currently serves as the President of the Police Athletic League of Lakeland, Inc. (PAL), and he is the Chairman of the Community Engagement Taskforce (formerly the Mayor's Gang Taskforce). He is a member of the Polk County Police Chief's Association, the Florida Police Chief's Association, and the International Association of Chiefs of Police. Marvin is also a current participant in Leadership Lakeland Class XXXIX.
Marvin currently holds an A. A. degree in Liberal Arts, and a B. S. degree in Criminal Justice from Polk State College, and a M.S. degree from Saint Leo University. He is a graduate of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement's (FDLE) Florida Criminal Justice Executive Institute, Senior Leadership Program; the Southern Police Institute, Administrative Officer's Course (SPI-AOC); and the Florida Police Chief's Association, Future Chief's Program.