Sgt. Bradley Cortez pictured with his wife, Vanileze, at the promotional ceremony on August 1, 2022. — Courtesy West Tisbury Police Dep

West Tisbury Police Sgt. Bradley Cortez was recently announced as the 2022 West Tisbury Police Officer of the Year.

Cortez was recognized for his positive attitude and leadership within the department.

The sergeant also earned the honor before when the award was first introduced in 2018. 

Cortez served in the U.S. Army as a paratrooper and joined the West Tisbury Police Department in 2014, according to the press release. He was promoted to sergeant in 2022. Cortez is a certified field training officer, a Martha’s Vineyard Tactical Response team member, and the department’s quartermaster. Cortez earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from the University of Southern New Hampshire and will be focusing on more supervisory training. 

“Along with leading the training of our newest officers, he has remained steadfast in approaching each day with a positive attitude which remains contagious,” West Tisbury Police Chief Matthew Mincone said in the release. “He acts as a consistent example and role model of what I believe our community demands and deserves from our department. Sgt. Cortez consistently looks for a fair and positive resolution in all circumstances. I am pleased to announce Sgt. Bradly Cortez as our 2022 Officer of the Year.”

23 replies on “Bradley Cortez is West Tisbury’s officer of the year again”

  2. Sgt. Bradley Cortez defines what a community police officer is all about. He helps set the bar and balance for a challenging responsibility. Congratulations to Brad and Vanileze.

  3. No surprise here. Officer Cortez is as great as they come. The island is lucky to have him as an officer. Always helpful, professional and friendly. Congrats again Sgt!

  4. Sgt. Cortez is a good guy, a good neighbor, and a good cop, who should be emulated.

    There will be a place for him in the inevitable MV Regional Police.

    Congratulations!

  5. Do the other towns have an officer of the year? I wonder who they are. The military seems to be a good training ground for many of our public officials. Another added benefit of the Armed Forces that often gets overlooked.

    1. Some departments focus on good policing, some on adulation.

      The military is an excellent choice for people looking for a career in law enforcement.
      The uniforms, the patches, the guns, imposing your will on others, certificates of achievement, not to mention that you are trained to kill people.

  6. Your the man Brad!
    Congratulations to you and yours once again.
    If everyone was like you the world would be a better place.
    See ya soon Brother

  10. Congratulations, Brad! You deserve all these kudos and more. Your Mom and Herb are watching from the Heavens and are filled with loving pride.

      1. My point is that being officer of the year is not a great predictor of future performance.
        Two of the officers indicted for killing that unarmed Black guy Missouri were Officers of the
        Year.
        Good officers do not want or need adulation.
        The only adulation they want is in there paycheck.
        Doing their job well and not getting hurt is their objective.
        How many of the Island’s Officer of the Year suffered involuntary separation from their departments?
        Good officers do their job and keep their heads down.
        Save the adulation for the End of Watch ceremony.

      1. Jim– you really don’t expect that Albert would even attempt to verify such an outrageous comment do you ?
        Of course , the internet is a big place, so vaugaries such as “most everyday” and “on the internet” could include police officers anywhere in the world.
        But of course, I could find nothing about the 2 officers indicted in Missouri– I don’t know, perhaps he was confused with the beating murder of Tyre Nichols in Memphis ( Memphis and Missouri both begin with “M” so it’s easy to get confused.. )
        It’s pretty easy to post a link—

        I remember when I was in third grade, there was one kid that always made a scene and wanted to be the one getting an award , or a gold star, or whatever.
        I wonder what happened to him ?

        Anyway, Congrats Bradley, and to whoever decided on this— It must have been difficult, as the W.T Police department is full of outstanding officers.

  13. It is rare to find a law enforcement individual who stands in front of his/her badge rather than behind it. You and the department in WT deserve all good things.

  15. How lucky we are in West Tisbury to have Brad’s professionalism, combined with compassion and true caring. And yes, the country would be a better place with more people like him. Congratulations Brad!

    1. WT has a good one.
      Hopefully the adulation will not go to head.
      So many Officers of the Year end up arrested and convicted.
      They start to think they can walk on water.
      They can not.
      Save the adulation for End of Watch.

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