Cocoa Police Chief Evander Collier Announces Promotion of Veteran Officers to Sergeant

BREVARD COUNTY • COCOA, FLORIDA – Cocoa Police Officers Branda Marchica and Will Stephenson will be promoted to sergeant effective January 6, 2025.

They will be assigned to the patrol division.

Officer Marchica has been with the Cocoa Police Department since 1996. Her journey in law enforcement began as a communications officer.

In 2000, she became a police officer, proudly serving in the patrol division for two years.

Her commitment and drive earned her a promotion to agent in 2002, where she excelled in the special investigations division, tackling complex cases involving drugs, narcotics, and vice crimes.

In 2006, her expertise led her to the role of detective, a position she embraced wholeheartedly for an impressive 11 years.

Following her time as a detective, she returned to patrol before finding her calling as a school resource officer. For the past six years, she has been a trusted and compassionate presence at Endeavour Elementary School, making a lasting impact on the students and community she serves.

In 2020, Officer Marchica was named Cocoa Police Department Officer of the Year.

Officer Stephenson has been with the Cocoa Police Department since 2007 and has served as a patrol officer, field training officer, and corporal, leading a patrol squad.

In addition, he made a significant impact working with the Game Over Task Force and the Street Crimes Unit, which were laser-focused on suppressing criminal activity and driving down crime rates. Officer Stephenson brings over four years of supervisory experience, during which he led the Community Engagement Unit, Honor Guard, and patrol officers with excellence and dedication.

“I am absolutely confident that these two outstanding officers will serve our agency as exceptional and influential leaders,” said Cocoa Police Chief Evander Collier IV.

“They are seasoned, highly experienced law enforcement professionals who will undoubtedly make a profoundly positive impact on our agency and our community.”

The Cocoa Police Department performs its primary functions through the following divisions:

■ Administration: Office of Chief of Police, Professional Compliance, and Public Information and Media Relations
■ Investigations: Criminal Investigations, Special Investigations, Criminal Intelligence Analysis, Property and Evidence, Crime Scene, and Victim Services
■ Operations: Patrol, SWAT, Crisis Negotiations, K-9, School Resource, Community Response Team, Traffic Unit, Training, Crossing Guards, Police Athletic League, and V-COPs
■ Support Services: Accreditation, Budget, Communications Center, Grants Management and Records

• 72 sworn police officer positions
• 16 communications officers
• 2 booking officers
• 3 records technicians
• 3 administrative assistants
• 1 police technology manager
• 1 training coordinator
• 1 crime scene / property and evidence technician
• 1 criminal intelligence analyst
• 1 victim advocate coordinator
• 1 victim advocate
• 1 public information officer
• 3 code enforcement officers
• 1 code enforcement manager
• 1 code enforcement coordinator

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