safety
City of San Antonio names Jesse Salame as SAPD's acting police chief
By Nate Kotisso at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate)
· July 8, 2026
· 1 min read
The City of San Antonio appointed a familiar face to be its acting police chief when longtime Chief William McManus steps aside later this week. In a Wednesday statement, the city said Jesse Salame — a 26-year veteran of the San Antonio Police Department — is set to be the acting police chief, ef...
Key takeaway In a Wednesday statement, the city said Jesse Salame — a 26-year veteran of the San Antonio Police Department — is set to be the acting police chief, effective Saturday.
Why this matters in The San Antonio
The appointment of Jesse Salame as acting police chief brings a sense of continuity to the San Antonio Police Department, given his 26-year tenure and familiarity with the community. As a veteran of the department, Salame's leadership will likely maintain the existing trajectory, which is crucial during this transitional period. With Chief William McManus' accelerated retirement, the city can now focus on finding a permanent replacement, expected to be named in September. The fact that Salame has worked closely with McManus, having been promoted through the ranks by him, suggests that the department's existing relationships with the community and local stakeholders will remain intact. As the city moves forward, it will be important to see how Salame navigates the role and potentially sets the stage for the next full-time chief, while also addressing the community's public safety concerns and expectations.
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 8, 2026 ·
Source: KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? The City of San Antonio appointed a familiar face to be its acting police chief when longtime Chief William McManus steps aside later this week. In a Wednesday statement, the city said Jesse Salame — a 26-year veteran of the San Antonio Police Department — is set to be the acting police chief, ef...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 8, 2026 by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) and curated for The San Antonio readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Nate Kotisso 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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