Changes

Dovalina modernized the department. In 1999, officers received  [[radio]]s in their patrol cars. In 2006, Dovalina unveiled a digital 800-megahertz radio system that shields access to criminals and the public. Dovalina proved adept and procuring funding at the state and national levels for departmental operations, having obtained additional patrol cars to replace older vehicles which were frequently in the garage for repair. He purchased mobile data terminals and dash cameras for police vehicles. In 2005, he started Laredo's own bomb squad. Previously, the city shut down an area and waited for a squad from [[San Antonio]] to come to defuse the situation. Dovalina was chief when Laredo's Special Weapons And Tactics (SWAT) division received a major upgrade, with the purchase of a mobile command center. The department was fully computerized.<ref name=riseandfall/>  

Dovalina modernized the department. In 1999, officers received  [[radio]]s in their patrol cars. In 2006, Dovalina unveiled a digital 800-megahertz radio system that shields access to criminals and the public. Dovalina proved adept and procuring funding at the state and national levels for departmental operations, having obtained additional patrol cars to replace older vehicles which were frequently in the garage for repair. He purchased mobile data terminals and dash cameras for police vehicles. In 2005, he started Laredo's own bomb squad. Previously, the city shut down an area and waited for a squad from [[San Antonio]] to come to defuse the situation. Dovalina was chief when Laredo's Special Weapons And Tactics (SWAT) division received a major upgrade, with the purchase of a mobile command center. The department was fully computerized.<ref name=riseandfall/>  

   

   

===Downfall===

==Downfall==

Dovalina had critics within the police department. A suit was filed against him in November 2006 by thirteen officers who alleged that the police leadership retaliated against them when the officers sent a letter to Mayor Salinas and city council members expressing concern about "the familial ties between the City Manager and Chief of Police."<ref name=riseandfall/>  

Dovalina had critics within the police department. A suit was filed against him in November 2006 by thirteen officers who alleged that the police leadership retaliated against them when the officers sent a letter to Mayor Salinas and city council members expressing concern about "the familial ties between the City Manager and Chief of Police."<ref name=riseandfall/>