safety
Acting SAPD chief eyes permanent job but says focus is on being 'stable, steady leader'
By Garrett Brnger, Adam Barraza at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate)
· July 10, 2026
· 3 min read
San Antonio appointed its temporary police chief, but could he also be the permanent one?City Manager Erik Walsh tapped Assistant Chief Jesse Salame as acting San Antonio Police Chief on Wednesday after longtime SAPD Chief William McManus moved his planned retirement up by more than two months.Sa...
Key takeaway Salame is a 26-year veteran of the department will be at the helm until the next chief is chosen, likely in September.
Why this matters in The San Antonio
The transition in leadership at the San Antonio Police Department comes at a critical time for the city, as concerns about public safety and community policing continue to be top of mind for residents. With Acting Chief Salame's emphasis on stability and steadiness, it's likely that the department will maintain its current course in the short term. However, the permanent chief selection process will be closely watched by community groups and city leaders, who will be looking for a leader who can build trust and foster collaboration between law enforcement and the public. The fact that Salame is open to input from the community and department staff suggests that he may be willing to consider new approaches and initiatives, which could be a positive development for the city. As the application window for the chief job closes, San Antonio residents will be waiting to see who will emerge as the top candidate to lead the department forward.
About this story
Original reporting by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) . The San Antonio surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: July 10, 2026 ·
Source: KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) ·
Reading time: 3 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? San Antonio appointed its temporary police chief, but could he also be the permanent one?City Manager Erik Walsh tapped Assistant Chief Jesse Salame as acting San Antonio Police Chief on Wednesday after longtime SAPD Chief William McManus moved his planned retirement up by more than two months.Sa...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 10, 2026 by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) and curated for The San Antonio readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Garrett Brnger, Adam Barraza at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate). To learn more about how The San Antonio selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The San Antonio, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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