Eleven BPD Officers Promoted

In late August, Chief Josh Cramer promoted eleven officers to new ranks, marking the largest promotion in over five years. The promotion ceremony can be viewed on METV.

The promotees are:

Assistant Chief Brian Thiers, a native of Bradenton, has over 25 years of service to the Bradenton Police Department. He has led every department division, including patrol operations, criminal investigations, and administration.

Captain Dennis Stahley, also born and raised in Bradenton, has served the department for 25 years. He now leads the Patrol Operation Division.

Captain Dennis French has spent the majority of his 25-year career at BPD as a detective. He now leads the Criminal Investigation Division and also serves as the SWAT Team commander.

Lieutenant Robert Bordin has been with BPD for 15 years and is assigned to the Patrol Operations Division, overseeing Support Services. In addition to his police service, Lieutenant Bordin has served in the Army National Guard since 2003.

Lieutenant Russell Ackerman is assigned to the Professional Standards Division of the Office of the Chief. He joined BPD nearly 10 years ago and is a member of both the Hostage Negotiation Team and the Marine Unit. Lieutenant Ackerman served in the U.S. Coast Guard for 24 years.

Sergeant Amy Schwartz joined the department in 2002 and has spent 23 years in the Patrol Division. She has been a Field Training Officer for 15 years.

Sergeant Jason Rhind joined BPD in 2007 and has spent his career in the patrol division. He is a certified General Instructor and a member of the Marine Unit.

Sergeant Adam Wollard joined BPD in 2009 and has been assigned to the Office of Professional Standards since 2016. Sergeant Wollard also leads the Peer Support Team, oversees physical abilities tests, and coordinates wellness initiatives for the department.

Sergeant Brett Sciamatore joined BPD in 2020 after serving five years with the NYPD, including two years in a precinct-level Anti-Crime Unit. Most recently, Sergeant Sciamatore was assigned to the department's Crime Reduction Team.

Sergeant Kevin Williams spent five years with the New York City Fire Department and ten years with the NYPD before joining the BPD in 2022. Sergeant Williams is a certified General Instructor as well as a certified First Aid, Firearms, Defensive Tactics, and Vehicle Operations trainer.

Sergeant Karina Rivera joined BPD in 2023 after spending five years with the Hartford, CT Police Department. Sergeant Rivera serves as the training coordinator for the department's Explorers and is a member of the Honor Guard.