TAMPA, Florida — Nearly two dozen police officers from Tampa, Plant City, USF and Tampa International Airport are on their way to the Florida Panhandle to help in cleanup and recovery efforts following Hurricane Michael.

The caravan of law enforcement officers, dubbed the "#TampaStrong Platoon," left from Tampa Police headquarters late Thursday afternoon, headed for Gadsden County. 

“They asked for 20 people,” said Tampa Police Chief Brian Dugan. “We are prepared to send more people from the Tampa Police Department."

"The issue is, right now, is you have no place for them to stay," he continued. "The place has been devastated and you just can't show up without a plan. If you don't have a plan, you can be part of the problem.”

The officers en route will help with policing the ravaged area upon arrival, as well as any recovery efforts.  

“I just want to get up there and help the officers that need to take care of their families,” said Tampa police officer Mike Skypack. “So hopefully we can get out there and give them some support and let them do their personal stuff.”

A group of Tampa firefighters is already up in the Panhandle offering aid, as are 13 members of Clearwater’s police department. 

“I think about a year ago,” said Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn, “this could've been us. And I know that other agencies from around the state would have been here to help us in our time of need. It's now our turn to return the favor.”