2024 Annual Award recipients honored

April 9, 2025

During our recent 2024 Awards ceremony, Chief Melanie Bevan and Mayor Gene Brown recognized four outstanding members of the Bradenton Police Department. Detective Michael Skoumal is the recipient of the department's 2024 Distinguished Service Award, Detective Adam Wollard is our 2024 Officer of the Year, Public Information Officer Meredith Censullo is our Civilian of the Year, and Mary Raiman is our Volunteer of the Year. All our award recipients receive a custom-made BPD watch from our friends at Jess Jewelers.

Distinguished Service Award

Detective Michael Skoumal received the Distinguished Service Award for his 25-year career serving the citizens of Bradenton. Detective Skoumal has been a Task Force Officer with the Drug Enforcement Administration for 16 years and works tirelessly to bring criminals to justice. In 2024, the DEA Task Force made 68 arrests and seized 23,216.81 grams of Fentanyl, which contributed to lowering the number of overdoses throughout our communities. State and federal prosecutors praise Detective Skomul's efforts, recognizing his meticulous investigations and unwavering commitment to justice.

Before his assignment to the DEA Task Force, Detective Skoumal served on BPD's SWAT team and worked as a criminal investigations detective, handling cases that range from theft to homicide. Throughout his career, he has consistently dedicated himself to solving crimes and protecting the community. His efforts have resulted in the removal of dangerous drugs from the streets and the incarceration of major criminals.

Officer of the Year

Detective Adam Wollard is BPD's Officer of the Year for 2024! He plays a key role in coordinating several vital programs within the department, including recruiting, physical abilities testing, mentoring, and peer support.

Recruiting is essential in law enforcement because it directly affects the quality and effectiveness of the police force, ensuring there are enough well-qualified officers to serve the community. Detective Wollard's passion and vision for the future of BPD are crucial in striving to recruit the best candidates who will serve our community for many years.

As a mentor, Detective Wollard guides new officers through their first critical year in law enforcement, helping to foster their growth, well-being, and confidence. Additionally, he leads the peer support program, which provides an important resource for officers to receive emotional support from colleagues who understand the unique stressors and challenges of the job. The success of this program reflects Detective Wollard's deep commitment to it.

Civilian of the Year

Public Information Officer Meredith Censullo has been named the BPD's Civilian of the Year for her tireless dedication to keeping the public informed during Hurricanes Helene and Milton. As these devastating storms struck Bradenton, Meredith worked tirelessly around the clock to provide continuous updates on their impact, emergency response efforts, and urgent safety information through our social media feeds and regular communication with news outlets.

She highlighted road closures, power outages, evacuation updates, and emergency shelter locations, ensuring that residents had the critical information they needed in real-time. Additionally, she documented the department's remarkable response efforts, showcasing how officers went above and beyond to assist those in need. Meredith's thorough coverage reassured our community that BPD was actively working to keep them safe. Even amid chaos, she remained a steady and reliable voice, demonstrating her unwavering commitment to public service.

Volunteer of the Year

BPD's 2024 Volunteer of the Year is Mary Raiman, who collaborates closely with the department's Community Resource Advocate, Community Policing, and Homeless Outreach units. A retired dispatcher, Mary is committed to supporting our officers' mission to serve the community. In 2024, she logged an impressive 727 hours of volunteer service! Her efforts in supporting BPD's Business Trespass Program and Homeless Outreach Grant Applications have enhanced the efficiency and coordination within the department. In addition to her weekday volunteer work, Mary also dedicated her time to assist with the 2024 Fill the Truck Toy Drive and the Honoring the Badge events. We are truly grateful for the selfless contributions made by all of our volunteers!

Det. Adam Wollard, PIO Meredith Censullo, Det. Michael Skoumal, Volunteer Mary Raiman