When you hear the Tampa Police Department is looking for you, that's scary.  This search has more carrot than stick with our own TPD heading into an intense recruitment campaign, for the future of Tampa's protection.  Last Saturday, I talked with Master Patrol Officer Frank Noel and he told me he's heading to multiple cities to recruit.  I had no idea that graduates and officers, come from all over to join our Tampa PD.  I thought locals but the pool is a lot bigger.  When asked what they're looking for, his answer was "diversity"!  Frank continued: "we want strong candidates to reflect our diverse community".  As the city grows in Championships (see: Champa Bay), the DNA of the city does as well.  As civic leaders point out changes needed, in policing, diversity has been a loud cry.  Therefore the need is apparent for more black and brown officers and Tampa is taking steps to provide that and more.

Upon looking into the benefits offered, I was surprised that you can earn $19.50 per hour, while in the academy!  Once hired, your starting salary is $60,257 per year, after completing the police recruit scholarship program.  How many gigs start at that number and can land you just shy of $100k ($97,843) after 10 years, as as Tampa Police Officer?  There are all kinds of questions, so Officer Noel has promised to come in and join the show.  Growing up with Lake County Sheriff Turner (Grant's dad), on one side of my house and Gary Police Officer Bandy (Nookie's dad) on the other had an effect on me.  Every kid deserves the product of those relationships.  I'm glad that our Tampa Police Department is looking for you, wherever you are reading this, to help that happen.

Apply online at the above link (tampa.gov/police) between October 1 - 31.

https://wild941.com/episodes/8-25-22-interview-tampa-police-department-frank-t-noel-ii-master-patrol-officer-about-recruitment/

If you have kids you know how important it is to pick a restaurant where they can have fun while stuffing your face! If you don't know, I'm a big foodie! If the food isn't good I don't want to go.

That being said, I wanted to make a quick list for parents explaining where they can grab some yummy food while the kids can run around while not spending too much.

Here's a list of my favorite kid-friendly restaurants in Tampa Bay that has a kids menu under $10.

Parents! If you haven't been to Sparkman's Warf you're definitely missing out. You can easily grab an adult beverage from the beer garden as the kids burn off some energy running on AstroTurf and playing cornhole. There's a lot of different restaurants you can chose from whether you want a popsicle at Whatever Pops or other yummy places located in one spot.

Driftwood Cafe at the Pier is delicious and a fabulous place for a quick bite where you can find plenty of food like pizza and salads for only $10! You can eat as the kids run around on the new playground or splash pad.

It's located at Tampa’s Riverwalk, Ulele’s children’s menu has a great selection starting at $6 for kids. They also have super cute storybook statues on site like Humpty Dumpty on the roof and the Three Little Pigs on the lawn.

This is a hidden gem located in South Tampa on Interbay Blvd. by MacDill AFB and they truly have the most delicious grouper sandwiches I've ever had in my life! Although, there's no water view there's plenty of room for the kids to run around while you enjoy a delicious drink and some yummy food.

This one is more for the kiddos but the pizza is pretty good! They have a variety of fun classic games like Skeeball, Air Hockey, and Dance Dance Revolution with adult entrees starting at $12.99 and kids meal $8.99.

This is definitely one of my favorite places to go to with friends or even business meetings. It's right on the water, spread out so the kids can run around and the food is truly delicious! My favorite thing to order is the grouper or crab cake sandwich but if you're looking for an affordable meal with the kids all their dishes are $7.95.

What isn't to love about Armature Works? There's tons of room for the kids to run around while you can go around and taste test all the different restaurants inside. You can play with the gigantic chess game, checkers and a million other fun things. It's right on the water so perfect for photos and extremely kid friendly with plenty of space. Plus there's two restaurants inside, a rooftop bar or little spots to grab a quick bite.

Datz has been a family friendly restaurant for a while now but won over all the hearts of parents with their $7 kids menu it's like 'I'm Not Hungry' which is boneless friend chicken tenders, and 'That Looks Gross which is actually a PB&J with marshmallows and bananas.

Right on one of the world's most beautiful beaches, Frenchy's is a perfect spot for kids to run around while you take in the view. At a great deal kids meals start at $4.99!

You can walk around Ybor during the day and stop by The Columbia and have some delicious food that's been there since 1905. The kids can munch on some of Tampa Bay's favorites like the Cuban sandwich or 1905 Salad starting at $5.95