New Bradenton police chief already making changes at department

BRADENTON -- Nearly two months on the job, Bradenton Chief of Police Melanie Bevan is shaking things up at the police department.

Bevan was sworn into office Feb. 16, replacing Chief Michael Radzilowski, who retired after more than 13 years leading the Bradenton Police Department.

"I am working 13-hour days, five or six days a week, and I am loving it," Bevan said.

In a memo this week to police department employees, Bevan announced several "organizational enhancements" for the months ahead in an effort to increase efficiency and effectiveness.

Major changes include revamping the employee disciplinary process to improve transparency and consistency; winning more funds for training; and creating a Recruiting Unit.

"My goal is to make the employee disciplinary process understandable, transparent and fair across the board," Bevan said. "I am not saying it wasn't, but I think there are some enhancements that came be made."

Bevan said discipline should be progressive and it is critical employees understand a department's discipline philosophy. The root of the philosophy should be disciplining in order to improve behavior and performance.

Bevan said she is excited about the new Recruiting Unit, which is comprised of three members of the police department, she said. All three took on the additional duty after Bevan asked for volunteers.

Already, they have made two recruiting trips, Bevan said, and she received positive feedback from students about the unit's enthusiasm.

About $4,000 from the department's forfeiture fund will be used to buy supplies such as a table, chairs, backboard and an iPad needed to set up a booth at job fairs.

Bevan is also looking to re-establish a scholarship to help at least one person each year pay their way through the police academy.

"Sometimes people can't afford to put themselves through the academy," Bevan said. "I was a sponsored police officer." The cost would be up to $4,000, she said.

"There is second-dollar funding I have identified that we can draw from," Bevan said. "It's something we have never tapped into before."

Second-dollar funding by statute is set aside for training, she added.

"I place a very strong emphasis on training, timely and relevant training that pertains to what is happening what is happening the policing realm," Bevan said.

She will be looking to identify additional funds to increase training within the department.

Mayor and Police Commissioner Wayne Poston said the changes are part of an effort to make the department more professional.

"I am very happy with her leadership and what she has done so far," Poston said. "We are very lucky to have her."

The department has always done recruiting, Poston said, but he is happy to see it being taken a step further.

Poston said he agreed with Bevan's decision to reorganize department leadership by hiring two assistant chiefs, instead of having a deputy chief.

"It's more teamlike," he said.

The new chief has also called for a full audit of the department's property and evidence, including all seized cash, drugs and weapons.

Bevan also announced some personnel changes and changes in departmental procedures.

She also implemented a minor tweak in the uniforms for officers assigned to spring training baseball games at McKechnie Field. Police teamed with the Pittsburgh Pirates to get officers ball caps with an embroidered badge on the side. Previously, officers were required to wear dress hats.

"The officers really like them," Bevan said. "There is no better way to celebrate the Pirates and our connection to them and the community."

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 April 14, 2016 at 11:15 PM with the headline "New Bradenton police chief already making changes at department ."