Some Bradenton Beach police officers signaled opposition to unionizing in a letter to city officials, while a Change.org petition urging officials to preserve the police department gains support online.
In an April 27 letter submitted to the mayor and city commission, officers wrote that their position was a “definitive no” to unionization ahead of a potential election overseen by the Florida Public Employees Relations Commission, the state agency that handles public employee union matters. Any formal vote would be conducted by secret ballot if the process moves forward.
The April 27 letter bearing handwritten signatures, including those of Officers Thomas Ferrara Sr., Roy Joslin III, Eric Hill, Charles Marose and Kyle Orms, indicated opposition to unionization. Officer John Tsakiri was listed as absent due to vacation, but recorded as a no.
Sgt. Steve Masi and Officer Devon Straight were not listed in the document.
Under state public employee union procedures, a majority of eligible officers, at least five, would need to vote in favor to form a union. Six of the eight potential members indicated in the letter opposition.
The unionization effort stems from an April 16 petition filed with the state to establish a bargaining unit for the officers and one sergeant. Commissioners declined to challenge that filing during an April 23 meeting at city hall, allowing the process to move forward to a potential vote by eligible employees.
During that same meeting, commissioners directed staff to pursue a proposal for the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office to potentially assume the law enforcement services in the city.
During the meeting, officials said the move was intended to gather comparable cost and service data.
The discussion came amid ongoing concerns about staffing and retention, with city officials noting challenges in competing with higher-paying police agencies in neighboring jurisdictions.
Meanwhile, a Change.org petition — change.org/p/keep-bradenton-beach-police-department — started by Caridad Guanche, who works in the Bradenton Beach commercial district, calls on city officials to maintain the police department, citing concerns about losing the city’s local, community-based approach to law enforcement.
As of April 29, the petition had 83 signatures.
“I am not affiliated with the BBPD, but over the past five years working at the beach, I have seen how dedicated these officers are,” Guanche wrote in an April 29 text message to The Islander. “Their connection with the community is truly remarkable. After the hurricane, they went above and beyond, patrolling the area to keep people safe and protect homes and businesses. Their commitment and presence have made a real difference.”
The petition argues that shifting law enforcement services to the MCSO could reduce those connections and change the level of policing locals have come to expect.
Commissioners are scheduled to meet at 6 p.m. Thursday, May 7, at city hall, 107 Gulf Drive N.