Maitland names new police chief

Maitland will have a new police chief as of Monday.

Maitland City Manager Sharon Anselmo announced in an email Friday to the City Council that David Manuel will take up the job as Maitland police chief as of Jan. 16. Manuel previously served the Maitland Police Department for 24 years working his way up from police sergeant to deputy chief. He left the department in 2014 to take a job with the University of Central Florida Police Department.

“Dave is a perfect fit as Maitland’s Police Chief; he is energetic, experienced and dedicated to keeping Maitland safe,” Anselmo said in the email. “He is excited to build upon the great team of professionals that is the Maitland Police Department.”

During his tenure with the Maitland Police Department, Manuel was named officer of the year three times in 1991, 1992 and 1994. He is a graduate of Lake Howell High School, the U.S. Army - Non-commissioned Officer Academy, Seminole Community College Law Enforcement Academy, the Southern Police Institute University of Louisiana, and the FBI National Academy.

Former Police Chief Doug Ball stepped down last month after seven years in the department's top job. He previously served as the police chief in Winter Park, on the force there for 34 years.

The Maitland City Clerk will swear Manuel in as police chief on Monday morning, and a formal swearing in ceremony will follow at a later, unannouced date.