Maitland honors Police Chief David Manuel for about 30 years of service

The City of Maitland recognized Police Chief David Manuel on Jan. 13 for about 30 years of service, applauding his military background and long tenure with the Maitland Police Department.

City speakers read a biography noting Manuel joined the department in June 1990 and served in roles including school resource officer, motorcycle unit officer, field training officer, SWAT team member and multiple command positions. The presentation noted Manuel attended the FBI National Academy at Quantico and received several departmental awards, including Officer of the Year and a Valor Award following a 1992 standoff.

David Manuel addressed the council briefly, thanking family and colleagues and reflecting on his time in the department. “Thank you very much for being my family and my organization that served you,” he said during his remarks.

Council members and staff praised Manuel’s mentorship of younger officers and cited long-standing department accreditation and recent traffic-safety recognition. A staff speaker noted the department’s accreditation history and cited a reported reduction in certain vehicular crashes over the past several years; the presenter described the department’s training and community-service emphasis as central to that work.

Council invited the chief and staff forward for photographs and presented an appreciation plaque previously presented by the city administration on Dec. 11, 2024. The recognition concluded with brief remarks from Manuel and city staff.

The city’s staff and council said the presentation was intended as an appreciation of Manuel’s leadership and to honor his continuing role in public safety.