Melanie Bevan, Bradenton's new police chief, to be sworn in Tuesday

BRADENTON -- Melanie Bevan will officially become chief of the Bradenton Police Department at 3 p.m. Tuesday when she is sworn in at the Bradenton Auditorium.

Bevan served her entire 29-year law enforcement career with the St. Petersburg Police Department, rising to the rank of assistant police chief, before accepting the position in Bradenton in late January. She was chosen among 118 applicants and nine finalists.

According to Mayor Wayne Poston, the city's police commissioner, Bevan will be the chief as soon as the swearing-in ceremony is completed. Retiring police Chief Michael Radzilowski is expected to stay on for a few days during the transition period.

"He's welcome to stay as long as that transition period takes," said Poston. "I don't think it will take the full week, but there are policies and procedures that she needs to know, but as soon as she's sworn in, she is the chief."

Bevan, 49, holds a doctorate in education in organizational leadership and a master's degree in public administration, as well as a bachelor's in criminal justice.

"I'm very excited about it," said Poston. "I never thought I'd find anybody that has the skills Chief Raz has. He's been a terrific police chief and very effective. Crime is down 38 percent since he's been the chief. Bevan has all the whistles and bells and all the skills. And she has a sense of humor. I don't hire anyone without a sense of humor."

Bevan said she appreciates that character in her new boss.

"He seems like he's going to be a great boss to work for and I can't wait to start work," said Bevan. "I'm very excited to get started."

Bevan has not had the chance to take many trips back to Bradenton since her selection was announced.

"I've spent the last few weeks having to train my replacement and it's not been easy packing up 30 years of my life," she said. "But I've met with the mayor, some elected officials and administrators and I'm looking forward to getting to work. I want to get there and start asking questions and finding out what's important to the officers, the department and the community."

Mark Young, Herald urban affairs reporter, can be reached at 941-745-7041 or follow him on Twitter@urbanmark2014.

This story was originally published February 15, 2016 at 11:27 PM with the headline "Melanie Bevan, Bradenton's new police chief, to be sworn in Tuesday ."