Career BPD officer Josh Cramer rises to Chief of Police
July 8, 2025
Today marks a significant milestone in the history of the Bradenton Police Department. Josh Cramer has become Bradenton's 14th Chief of Police, making him the first internal candidate to be appointed chief since 1995—the same year he began his law enforcement career right here in Bradenton.
At his swearing-in ceremony, Chief Cramer outlined his steadfast principles: First, do your job the right way—no shortcuts. Dig deeper and strive to do more for our community. Second, be kind to one another and to those we encounter on what is often the worst day of their lives.
In addition to building upon the efforts of previous Chiefs, Chief Cramer emphasized the importance of ongoing collaborations with local non-profits and service organizations, including the Big Brothers Big Sisters program. He was particularly proud that his "little brother" of nine years, Elijah Smith, led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Chief Cramer also expressed his commitment to working every day to identify and prepare future leaders within BPD, ensuring that his successor and many others to follow will come from within the department.
Watch the Ceremony on Manatee Educational Television
About Chief Cramer:
Chief Cramer's distinguished law enforcement career with BPD began in 1995 and spans three decades of dedicated service.
He spent the first eight years of his career as a patrol officer before earning successive promotions: Sergeant in 2003, Lieutenant in 2011, Captain in 2015, and Assistant Chief of Police in 2016. He served in that executive role until his retirement in 2022. Following his retirement, Chief Cramer was elected to the Bradenton City Council, continuing his commitment to public service. Notably, he also remained actively involved with the department as a reserve officer.
Throughout his career, Chief Cramer received numerous accolades recognizing his exemplary performance and leadership. These honors include the Bradenton Police Department’s Officer of the Year Award (2007), a Commendation Bar (2010), and the prestigious Gary Tibbetts Career Service Award presented by the 16th Congressional District (2022).
In addition to ongoing professional development, Chief Cramer completed several advanced leadership programs, including the FBI Florida Executive Development Seminar in 2015 and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s Chief Executive Seminar in 2016.
He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminology from Florida State University (1994) and is a graduate of the Lively Law Enforcement Academy in Tallahassee (1994).
