Next Bradenton police chief could soon be named
BRADENTON -- The next Bradenton police chief could be named soon, according to Mayor Wayne Poston.
Poston said Thursday the city has made a formal offer to the person he hopes will be the next police chief.
Their name will not be released until the offer is formally accepted.
In October, Poston had narrowed down the list of 118 applicants to nine finalists.
Those nine finalists were:
Capt. Josh Cramer, Bradenton Police Department.
Chief Christopher Cotillo, Seat Pleasant, Md., Police Department.
Assistant chief Brian C. Harris, Dekalb County, Ga., Police Department.
Assistant chief Peter Newsham, Metropolitan Police Department, Washington, D.C.
Director of security and loss prevention Marion S. Lewis, Saddlebrook Golf & Tennis Resort, Pasco County.
Assistant chief Melanie Bevan, St. Petersburg Police Department.
Deputy chief Dean M. Smith, Suffolk, Va., Police Department.
Chief George Brian Turner, Brooksville, Fla., Police Department.
Meanwhile, current Chief Michael Radzilowski will stay as long as he is needed.
"He's my chief," Poston said. "We've got along great."
Radzilowski acknowledged he knew the mayor was in negotiation with a possible successor.
"I have complete confidence in the mayor's judgement," Radzilowski said.
In April, Radzilowski announced he intended to retire by the end of 2015, hoping it would give the city sufficient time to conduct a thorough search for his replacement. Despite the delay, he has remained in office.
"I am not going to abandon to citizens of this community. As soon as he gets his new chief in place I will fade away," Radzilowski said. "I will be around to help the new chief for a few days to show him around, then I will be available for consultation at no charge, if needed."
Jessica De Leon, Herald law enforcement reporter, can be reached at 941-745-7049. You can follow her on Twitter@JDeLeon1012.
This story was originally published January 21, 2016 at 3:01 PM with the headline "Next Bradenton police chief could soon be named ."