After more than two decades of service, Sergeant Brant Richardson of the Bloomington Police Department is set to retire in February, closing a chapter that began in November 2003. In his tenure, Richardson climbed the ranks to sergeant in 2017 and has overseen important divisions, including Investigations and the Bomb Unit, as reported in a recent article by the City of Bloomington's official website.
With a storied trajectory that encompassed roles as a field training officer, a crime scene technician, and an officer in the Mall of America Police Unit, Richardson's contributions spanned multiple aspects of police work and his skills extended to explosive detection canine handling, joining the Bomb Unit in 2011, and subsequently becoming a certified Bomb Technician a year later he became an expert entrusted with the safety of countless citizens. He has also led patrol units and the Mall of America unit, Richardson told the City of Bloomington's official website about the many hats he’s worn during his time with the department.
The sergeant's journey into law enforcement was sparked by a military background and a ride-along with his cousin; it was this experience that Richard attributes to his career choice, underscoring the importance of strong communication skills for officers and advocating for community vigilance, insisting, "If you see something out of place, report it." This sentiment was expressed in an interview featured on the City of Bloomington's official website.
Throughout his service, the steadfast support from his wife, Kelly, has been a cornerstone of his success, meanwhile, outside the badge and uniform, Richardson's life is rich with pursuits like hunting, fishing, woodworking, and enjoying rides on his side-by-side—projects and pastimes that have filled the space between the demands of his profession and the satisfaction of laboring for home and hearth. Reflecting on his career and its swift passage, Richardson remarked, "When I started at the police department, I wasn’t thinking about retirement; But the years flew by. I’ve appreciated the job and, even more, the people I’ve worked with along the way," as witnessed in a statement to the City of Bloomington's official website.
