Sweetwater approves a police staffing change and hears city‑manager personnel and safety updates

The Sweetwater City Council on Jan. 13 approved an ordinance decreasing the number of police sergeant positions by one after a presentation from Chief Trish Stroman.

Chief Stroman told the council the department is reviewing staffing and restructuring for 2026. She said supervisors’ duties were evaluated and the Criminal Investigations Division’s supervision can be absorbed by lieutenants and the administration, allowing an experienced sergeant to be redeployed to patrol. "We've looked at all of the positions, and we recognize that, in the future, we will likely not hesitate to ever come to you and ask if there's a need of ours," Stroman said. She added the change would "optimize fiscal responsibility by absorbing those duties and other roles within the police department."

Council approved the ordinance by voice vote with no recorded opposition. The ordinance was read into the record as an amendment to the city's classification and position schedule pursuant to the Texas Local Government Code (citation in the reading: 1 43 0 21 in the transcript reading).

In the city manager's report, the manager announced Corey Valencia as the new assistant chief of police, effective Dec. 11, 2025; Valencia previously served in Sweetwater since 2014 and holds a bachelor's degree in criminal justice and a master peace officer certification. The manager also highlighted the fire department's annual awards, a recent Community Ready program by the police department to train businesses and organizations on active‑shooter readiness, and acknowledged a $3,500 donation from Georgia Pacific that funded four ballistic vests for firefighters and EMS personnel.

What happens next: the police department will implement the staffing changes internally; the assistant chief appointment is effective as stated and internal training/award programs will continue under city direction.