The City of Bradenton Police Department got its start in 1903, when W.S. Young served as City Marshall and Sanitation Inspector for $60 a month. Today BPD includes 119 sworn officers and about 30 civilians based out of its station at Bradenton City Centre, adjacent to City Hall. The department includes traffic, detective, bicycle units and more under the direction of Chief Michael Radzilowski.
Radzilowski, who has served as Bradenton's chief since 2002, is a Washington, D.C., native who served 31 years in his hometown's Metropolitan Police Department in a variety of positions, rising to the rank of Commander (Deputy Chief of Police) of the Special Operations Division. He has worked security for two U.S. Presidents and been honored by the Secret Service, U.S. Department of Justice and the Mayor of the District of Columbia.