MAYOR GENE BROWN
City Hall | 101 Old Main Street | Bradenton, Florida 34205
941.932.9450 | mayor@cityofbradenton.com
www.cityofbradenton.com
CITY OF BRADENTON
ADMINISTRATIVE INVESTIGATION SUMMARY
DATE: September 12, 2022
SUBJECT: Administrative Investigation Summary, IA 2022-106
On July 19, 2022, the City of Bradenton Police Department’s Office of Professional Standards
received a written complaint from Officer Hannah Kalchbrenner. Officer Kalchbrenner alleged
that, on July 14, 2022, Chief Melanie Bevan improperly detained and searched two subjects,
afler they exited a residence in which a felony probation violator occupied. In addition, Officer
Kalchbrenner stated that Chief Bevan entered the residence, began looking through the house,
and remained in the residence for beyond a reasonable time. All of this took place while Chief
Bevan was not wearing her department issued body armor.
Based upon Officer Kalchbrenner’s allegations I instructed the City of Bradenton Police
Department Internal Affairs Unit to conduct an investigation and report directly to me on the
investigation. Once the interviews were completed and the evidence gathered I retained Retired
Judge Gregory Holder, of the Zinober Diana & Monteverde, P.A. law firm, to conduct a review
of the investigation to determine if there were any search and seizure (Fourth Amendment)
violations.
Retired Judge Holder made the following conclusions:
“Based upon my review of Chief Bevan’s actions involving the momentary detention of the two
individuals exiting the defendant Wimbely’s residence and the pat-down of the male, as well as
the cursory sweep of the residence during and shortly after the apprehension of the suspect, |
conclude that absolutely no Fourth Amendment concerns or violations were implicated by these
actions, Under these facts, supported by competent and substantial evidence, there simply was
zo search or seizure of either persons or property on July 14, 2022, Perhaps more importantly,
Chief Bevan’s actions were not only consistent with both the statutory and constitutional
parameters but were also consistent with defined police procedures not only within BPD, but
also within law enforcement agencies throughout this nation. Her actions that day were taken to
ensure the safety of all involved, both officers and citizens.”
Based upon the conclusions of Retired Judge Holder the allegations against Chief Bevan of
Improper Procedure, PGO 401.VI.A.15 (June 16, 2021), and Illegal Search are hereby
EXONERATED.
#OneCityOneTeamIn regards to Chief Bevan not wearing her department issued body armor, she admitted to having
her body armor with her but not wearing it. There is a policy conflict between PGO 507 (June
19, 2018) and PGO 300 (September 29, 2021). PGO 507 IIL.B, provides that all uniformed law
enforcement officers shall be issued agency approved body armor that they are mandated to wear
at all times. PGO 507 IV.B, further provides that it will be mandatory for all uniformed swom
members to wear their issued body armor while on duty at the Bradenton Police Department.
PGO 300 VLB, provides that all uniformed sworn members of the Bradenton Police Department
shall be issued body armor that they are mandated to wear, but allows for detectives and captains
and above assigned to administrative duties to choose not to wear body armor. Since the Chief
of Police is an administrative position and clearly a higher rank than a captain, Chief Bevan
would be allowed to not wear her department issued body armor. It should be noted that
although she believed that she was not required to wear her body armor, Chief Bevan stated that
by not wearing her body armor she didn’t set a good example for her officers.
Based on the policy conflict the allegation against Chief Bevan for not wearing her department
issued body armor is hereby EXONERATED.
Chief Bevan was made aware of the classification of this investigation and this case is now
considered closed.
;ene Brown, Mayor