Bradenton’s New Police Chief Josh Cramer Strengthens Community Bonds at National Night Out
The Bradenton Police Department’s new Chief of Police, Josh Cramer, has been on the job for only a few months but is already making a visible impact on the community. Sworn in over the summer, Cramer brings nearly three decades of experience to the role and a focus on transparency, leadership, and connection with residents.
Cramer began his career with the Bradenton Police Department in 1995 as a patrol officer, steadily advancing through the ranks before being appointed chief in July. He is the first internal candidate to lead the department since 1995.
In recent weeks, Cramer has emphasized the importance of mentorship and civic engagement, including visiting local schools to hand out safety patrol badges to fifth-grade students. He said the program instills a sense of duty, responsibility, and leadership—values he hopes to reinforce department-wide.
One of Cramer’s early initiatives is to strengthen trust and communication between the police and the community. He encourages officers to “do their jobs the right way, be kind, and…. use common sense,” while committing to a leadership style based on openness and accountability.
Those priorities were on full display Tuesday evening during the Bradenton Police Department’s National Night Out, held at department headquarters on 10th Street West. The free, family-friendly event drew residents from across the city for a night of community engagement featuring food, kids’ activities, safety demonstrations, and a popular Touch-a-Truck exhibit.
Fire trucks, police vehicles, and emergency response units lined the area as families met local officers and first responders. The event, supported by community sponsors including Sam’s Club, Kona Ice, The Shop, Travelin’ Tom’s Coffee Truck, and the City of Bradenton, offered a relaxed environment for residents to learn more about local public safety efforts.
For Chief Cramer, the evening reflected his broader mission—to connect law enforcement and citizens through respect, transparency, and shared commitment to keeping Bradenton safe.
