The Traffic Unit responds to motor vehicle crashes, enforces speed limits, and monitors school zones. They also investigate drivers suspected of being under the influence of drugs or alcohol. The unit includes certified Traffic Homicide Investigators who handle serious injury or fatal crashes.

The Support Services Unit embodies the department’s commitment to community-oriented policing, focusing on downtown Bradenton, the Riverwalk, and the three Community Redevelopment Areas (CRAs). CRA officers proactively prevent crime by enhancing living conditions and building relationships with residents, businesses, and local officials.

The Crime Prevention Officer coordinates community safety and outreach programs, while the Blighted Property/Homeless Outreach Officer works with Code Enforcement on abandoned properties and collaborates with a case manager to support homeless individuals.

The Bradenton Police Department communications center operates from the Manatee County Public Safety Building. Our team of state-certified public safety telecommunicators works around the clock to answer emergency calls and dispatch officers. The teletype operator assists with requests for information from criminal justice databases. Dispatchers perform several tasks to resolve cases reported by the public. When a citizen reports a missing person, stolen vehicle, or stolen or lost firearm, dispatchers create an event in our Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD) system. An officer responds to collect the necessary information, which dispatchers enter into state and national databases.

The department provides SROs for Manatee High School, Sugg Middle School, and Manatee Elementary School. SROs increase interaction between law enforcement, students, school staff, and parents. This liaison between our agency and the School District of Manatee County provides a faster response and resolution to minor instances, preventing them from developing into something more significant.

Our Crossing Guards provide a friendly face to students on their way to or from school around the City, including Sugg Middle School, Ballard Elementary School, Rogers Elementary School, Manatee Elementary School, J.P. Miller Elementary School, Sea Breeze Elementary School, and Moody Elementary School. Additionally, several crossing guards assist students who attend Prine Elementary, Palma Sola Elementary, and King Middle School.

Bradenton PD currently deploys three K9 teams. K9 Striker is dual-trained in explosive ordinance detection and apprehension. K9 Zeke is trained in apprehension. And K9 Liberty is trained in locating missing persons. Our teams undergo a rigorous 480-hour handler course, which prepares them for the various situations they will encounter during their tours of duty. The teams train regularly to ensure they are ready for deployment at any moment and re-certify annually to ensure they maintain the highest level of proficiency.

The Marine Unit patrols the waterways within the City of Bradenton and provides aid to local, state, and federal agencies needing assistance with enforcement or search-and-rescue efforts.

Bradenton PD’s Honor Guard has been active for over 35 years. It was established to provide honors for officers killed in the line of duty and has transitioned into a ceremonial unit over time. The Honor Guard participates in intricate details inherent to line-of-duty deaths for fallen law enforcement officers and performs traditional color guard functions at parades, ceremonies, and charity functions.