Mustang Ridge Police Chief dismissed 

By Anthony Collins

LPR Editor                            

    Mustang Ridge Police Chief Rolando Belmares has been removed from his position after a unanimous vote by the city council Tuesday night. The decision followed an extended executive session in which council members reviewed a formal complaint and assessed the overall performance of the police department’s leadership.

   According to city officials, the complaint alleged that Belmares deleted a substantial number of work hours from an officer’s timecard without the officer’s consent. The agenda for the meeting also referenced “other actions and conduct” that raised concerns about Belmares’ management of the department.

   City Attorney Weslie Ritchie said the vote reflected the council’s clear desire for a change in leadership.

   “It was a unanimous vote to make a change, so read into that what you want,” Ritchie said. “They felt like they needed to make a change at police chief, it’s pretty obvious what happened.”

   In addition to addressing the complaint, the council evaluated the police department’s personnel needs and broader performance. As part of the transition, Captain Tammy McCleney has been appointed interim police chief.

   Some residents expressed frustration with the lack of publicly available details surrounding Belmares’ dismissal. Mustang Ridge resident August Ench said the community wants greater transparency regarding decisions affecting public safety operations.      Belmares’ tenure in Mustang Ridge began in 2023, following prior service with the Texas State Board of Pharmacy, Texas State University Police Department, and Valley International Airport Police Department. His work history previously drew attention when he resigned from the Texas State Board of Pharmacy in 2023 amid an undisclosed internal matter.

    The city has not yet announced a timeline for selecting a permanent police chief.