Manvel public safety leaders ask council to fund expanded staffing, training and emergency upgrades in 2026 budget presentations

Assistant Chief Rick Alvarado presented the Manvel Police Department’s proposed 2025–26 budget during a June workshop, saying the department seeks additional personnel, vehicles and equipment to staff a newly completed public safety facility and respond to rising service demands.

“The police department is dedicated to protecting life and property, maintaining public order, and enhancing the quality of life for all residents through community oriented policing,” Assistant Chief Rick Alvarado told the mayor and council. He outlined staffing and equipment requests that include a personnel increase of 16 positions to bring the department’s workforce to roughly 67, funding for vehicle replacements and additions, expanded body cameras and radios, ballistic helmets, and new forensic and investigative equipment.

Why it matters: Public safety is the city’s largest department by staffing and budget. Council members repeatedly said they value having current staff supplied and trained, but asked for clearer, itemized costings and the supporting data used to project increases in arrests, traffic stops and calls for service.

Key requests and context - Personnel: The department presented a request to add 16 staff across multiple divisions (patrol, cadets, criminal investigations, records, jail supervision, communications and…