The Bradenton Police Chief wants to fire one of his top men.

Chief Michael Radzilowski is recommending the termination of Deputy Chief Warren Merriman, a 17-year veteran with the department.

Radzilowski said Merriman violated several duties while on the job, like misusing his authority and lying about time on the clock.

Merriman has been under investigation for months. He is now on administrative leave while the investigation continues.

While Radzilowski conducted his own investigation, because of the serious nature of the allegations of misconduct issues involved, he turned to the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office for a separate investigation.

Last week, the MSO Professional Standards Office provided Radzilowski with their complete investigation.

On Monday, Dec. 15, Radzilowski sent a letter to City of Bradenton Mayor Wayne Poston reviewing MSO’s investigation.

In the letter, Radzilowski said, “I simply no longer have any confidence in Deputy Chief Merriman’s ability to serve BPD effectively. Termination of Deputy Chief Warren T. Merriman III’s employment with BPD is therefore appropriate.”

In the 26-page summary sent to the Mayor, Radzilowski said Merriman is accused of 12 violations. All of them started in 2012.

The incidents range from using staff to help Merriman build a shed at his house and install a dishwasher, charging the Pittsburgh Pirates for off-duty security time and then leaving to go play tennis, promising employees a promotion if they bought a home using his wife as their realtor, and using a company vehicle to run personal errands.

"Many words rise from this investigation: Ethics, law, honesty, untruthfulness, abuse," Radzilowski said. "It is difficult to explain which is most disturbing, as they all are. The actions by Deputy Chief Merriman are found to be egregious.”

Radzilowski said because Merriman is an at-will employee, he has no right to challenge his firing.

Radzilowski has sent a letter to Merriman, who has until Dec. 29 to respond. If he chooses, he can ask for a name-clearing hearing.

"A name-clearing hearing is offered to an 'at-will' employee who is exempt from appeal procedures when dismissal is recommended," said Lieutenant Josh Cramer, with the Office of Professional Standards at the Bradenton Police Department. “The employee will not be able to challenge the decision, but it will give them a chance to have their voice heard regarding the findings. Any oral or written statements made by the employee will be entered into their personnel file.”

Merriman is currently out of town and was unavailable for comment.

The effective date of Deputy Chief Merriman’s termination is pending his request of a name-clearing hearing with City of Bradenton Human Resources.

The State Attorney’s Office has filed three counts of misdemeanor theft against Deputy Chief Merriman.

This is an on-going investigation and prosecution.

The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, the Bradenton Police Department, and the State Attorney’s Office have also declined to make any comments.