There’s a new chief in town.
Bradenton Beach commissioners authorized an agreement Sept. 2, putting into action their plan for Lt. John Cosby to step immediately into the office of acting chief of police.
The agreement sets the stage and the salary for Oct. 9, when Cosby will be sworn in as chief.
His starting salary is $114,507 plus benefits, as outlined in the city employee handbook.
The agreement provides for the 2021-22 budgeted salary and a starting bonus of $5,000 — half to come from the city budget and half from the community redevelopment agency — as compensation for the transitional work provided by Cosby in the current fiscal year.
And Cosby is ready for the job. He’s a 34-year veteran of the BBPD. He also has served as the emergency management coordinator for the city, led storm responses during his tenure and contributes expertise to the budget planning process for not just the department but for the entire spending plan.
He is officially acting chief before taking the chief’s position Oct. 9.
Speciale provided Mayor John Chappie his one-year notice of retirement Oct. 9, 2020. He served the city in the police department for 35 years.
Speciale, who was on vacation at his home in Georgia, told The Islander on a Sept. 4 call that he had no plans to return to the island before his last day as chief, Oct. 8.
The Bradenton Beach Police Department is headquartered at 403 Highland Ave.
Islander staff contributed to this report.