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Bradenton Beach officer now with FBI

Chuck Sloan has traded the sand of Bradenton Beach for the snow of Quantico, Va., and the slow pace of police work on Anna Maria Island to the frenzy that is the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Bradenton Beach Sgt. Sloan was recently accepted into the FBI and is presently in training. His final placement as a special agent will be determined when he completes the training course.

The training shouldn’t be too tough for Sloan, who served as supervisor of training for reserve officers at Manatee County Technical Institute, and as training supervisor for the Bradenton Beach Police reserve force.

“Personally, I’m very proud of him,” said Chief Sam Speciale. “I’m also proud for the department and for the city, and I wish him the best.”

Sloan started as a reserve officer 13 years ago, then became a fulltime officer, then was promoted to sergeant.

He made news last year when he and a Holmes Beach officer rescued people from an SUV that went off the Anna Maria Island Bridge. The two officers rescued two men from the vehicle, although one died. Sloan received commendations from Bradenton Beach for his actions.

Sloan received a law degree from Stetson University College of Law earlier this year, but decided his career path was not in a legal practice. He applied for both the FBI and the secret service, Speciale said, adding that Sloan said he would take either offer. First come, first served.

FBI was first up, and Sloan accepted.

The next day, the secret service offered him a job.

“He’s going to be hard to replace,” Speciale said.

However, his replacement has been named: James Hill.