TPAPD's Sara Clymer Named Florida Civilian Employee of the Year
Clymer was honored for her leadership, operational improvements, and dedication to supporting TPA's officers and public safety operations.
Tampa International Airport Public Safety Administrative Senior Manager Sara Clymer has been named Civilian Employee of the Year by the Florida Police Chiefs Association during the organization’s 74th Annual Summer Conference last week, earning statewide recognition for her leadership, innovation, and service to the Tampa International Airport Police Department.
Clymer was selected from among nominees representing law enforcement agencies across Florida. The award recognizes exceptional civilian employees who make significant contributions to their departments and communities.
As Senior Manager of Public Safety and Security Administration, Clymer oversees critical operational and administrative functions for the Airport Police Department, including management of the department’s $22 million budget. Her financial expertise and organizational skills have earned praise not only within the department but across the Hillsborough County Aviation Authority.
During the past year, Clymer led several major initiatives that modernized and streamlined police department operations. Among her most impactful projects was the complete overhaul of the department’s reporting system, which included more than 100 paper forms. Working alongside the Training Department, she helped create a committee to review, update, and digitize forms into fillable PDFs, significantly improving accessibility and efficiency for officers.
She also oversaw implementation of a new computerized barcode-based Property and Evidence system within the department’s records management department, creating greater accountability and improving evidence tracking procedures. In addition, she coordinated the lawful destruction and purging of more than 1,500 evidence items that no longer had evidentiary value.
Clymer’s work extends far beyond administrative duties. She coordinates the department’s quarterly Coffee With a Cop events, supports the Tampa International Airport Citizen Police Academy, participates in oral board interviews, and has played a key role in improving employee morale through team-building events and celebrations throughout the year.
Knowing a deeper understanding of law enforcement culture would strengthen her effectiveness, Clymer also pursued accreditation training through the Florida Commission for Law Enforcement and became a certified assessor. Her work during a recent accreditation review earned her a Letter of Commendation from the Highland Beach Police Department for her “thoroughness” and “objective approach.”
Tampa International Airport Police Chief Charlie Vazquez praised Clymer’s commitment and impact on the department.
“Sara has proven herself to be a valued member of the Tampa International Airport Police Department,” Vazquez said. “Never one to rest on her laurels, she continues to improve her knowledge, skills and abilities which, in turn, improves the service our officers can provide to the community.”
Clymer said she was stunned when she learned she had received the statewide honor.
“When I think about being up against some of the top large agencies in Florida, I was pretty floored and surprised that I was chosen as Civilian Employee of the Year.”
A former retail leadership executive with Target for 16 years, Clymer joined Tampa International Airport in October 2022, bringing experience in leadership, budgeting, and strategic planning. She said transitioning into public safety administration has been one of the best decisions of her career.
“I really enjoy problem-solving,” Clymer said. “I love being given opportunities to think strategically about how we can make things more efficient and better support the department. I also really enjoy developing teams and helping build a stronger administrative group that supports our officers, traffic specialists, and public safety operations.”
She added that supporting the men and women of the Airport Police Department gives her a strong sense of purpose.
“I feel extremely privileged to support the officers,” Clymer said. “I find so much fulfillment in helping others, and what better way to do that than with a law enforcement agency at Tampa International Airport.”
The Florida Police Chiefs Association represents more than 1,000 law enforcement executives and security professionals statewide and serves as one of the leading professional organizations for law enforcement leadership in Florida.