By David Lopez![]()
Special to San Benito News
The family of recently deceased 21-year-old Ricardo Treviño presented a petition to the Mayor and City Commissioners during a regular city meeting Tuesday, requesting the removal of San Benito Police Chief Michael R. Galvan.
“We, the undersigned citizens of San Benito…have composed this letter to express our dissatisfaction with the current Chief of Police,” read the “Vote of No Confidence” letter that was accompanied by over 100 signatures from members of Treviño’s family and the community.
Ricardo Treviño was shot and killed by police officers on December 7 after a high speed chase ended in the El Ranchito area. The identifications of the participating officers have not been released by the City while the incident is investigated by the Texas Rangers.
Special to San Benito NewsThe family of recently deceased 21-year-old Ricardo Treviño presented a petition to the Mayor and City Commissioners during a regular city meeting Tuesday, requesting the removal of San Benito Police Chief Michael R. Galvan.
“We, the undersigned citizens of San Benito…have composed this letter to express our dissatisfaction with the current Chief of Police,” read the “Vote of No Confidence” letter that was accompanied by over 100 signatures from members of Treviño’s family and the community.
Ricardo Treviño was shot and killed by police officers on December 7 after a high speed chase ended in the El Ranchito area. The identifications of the participating officers have not been released by the City while the incident is investigated by the Texas Rangers.
According to Ricardo Navarro, the attorney assigned by the Texas Municipal League to advise the City on the matter, said Chief Galvan did provide a statement to lawyers and to the Rangers regarding his participation in the shooting, but no further details have been released.
The letter expressed another incident as further proof of Chief Galvan’s alleged “incompetence:” the death of Marta Moreno in November. “In both cases [including Treviño’s incident] the police department ignored current policies and procedures outlined in the police manual having to do with missing persons and police pursue outside city-limits for non-felony crime,” read the letter.
The letter expressed another incident as further proof of Chief Galvan’s alleged “incompetence:” the death of Marta Moreno in November. “In both cases [including Treviño’s incident] the police department ignored current policies and procedures outlined in the police manual having to do with missing persons and police pursue outside city-limits for non-felony crime,” read the letter.
Marta Moreno was a retired teacher suffering from dementia who went missing and was later found dead in San Benito. The letter, however, did not further specify the accusations unto police regarding Moreno’s case.
COPY OF THE PETITION:
Removal (Vote of No-Confidence)
Chief of Police
San Benito, Texas
Honorable Mayor Ben Gomez and City Manager De La Rosa
We, the undersigned citizens of San Benito, Tx, who are currently residing in San Benito, Cameron County, Tx, have composed this letter to express our dissatisfaction with the current Chief of Police, Michael Galvan.
This letter is an expression of our “Vote of No Confidence” in Michael Galvan and his ability to
effectively run our police department. We understand the severity of this decision and did not arrive at it hastily.
There are two instances that have resulted in the wrongful death of two citizens, Martha Moreno and Richard Trevino. In both cases the police department ignored current policies and procedures outlined in the police manual having to do with missing persons and police pursue outside city limits for non-felony crime.
The Police Chief submitted policies for approval of the City Commission and his failure to observe them show his negligence and lack of leadership needed to maintain a serve and protect objective.
In addition to these instances, Michael Galvan has been posting on social media his career as a real estate agent. Apparently for the past year. This also demonstrates his lack of dedication to law enforcement education and training.
He lacks the basic requirements for a police chief, there are no college education classes in criminal justice. He has erased evidence, failure to arrest Mayor in a domestic violence complaint and protected the Mayor Pro-Tem in two complaints.
In conclusion, copies of this complaint are being circulated for signitures which will be submitted to you in near future."