Meredith Censullo

My background is in TV News. I was a reporter/anchor for 22 years, with most of that time spent in the Tampa market. While wrapping up my TV career, I returned to school to earn a Criminal Justice degree, specializing in Crime Scene Technology. I spent a year in communications for the National Forensic Science Technology Center before joining the Bradenton Police Department in 2022 as their first civilian Public Information Officer. 

In my role, I handle media requests for information and soundbites and manage our social media feeds. Because of my prior experience, I naturally gravitate to a news-style approach to our social media content, and every day, I look for "the story" (even if one doesn't materialize)! BPD’s feeds previously consisted of a lot of graphics and group photos of various events, and the department rarely put out news releases. I push for the exact opposite! I aim to be as receptive to the media as possible to build a positive relationship between BPD and local reporters and editors.

I craft social media content that can easily be copied/pasted by news outlets and try to deliver more of what our social media audience responds to. I prefer not to stage content (group photos) when possible. I challenge us to be more engaging and creative without being silly. I work hard to build trust between myself and our officers to increase their desire to participate in our social media.