safety
SAPD Chief William McManus reflects on 20-year tenure, successor, possible future in politics
By Myra Arthur, Sal Salazar, Valerie Gomez at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate)
· July 8, 2026
· 3 min read
San Antonio Police Department Chief William McManus is retiring after two decades on the job.McManus originally said he would retire from the department on Sept. 30, but announced an accelerated retirement on July 10 earlier this month.In one of his final interviews as the department’s chief, McM...
Key takeaway 30, but announced an accelerated retirement on July 10 earlier this month.
Why this matters in The San Antonio
As Chief McManus transitions out of the San Antonio Police Department, his endorsement of Assistant Chief Jesse Salame as his successor is significant for the community. Salame's internal promotion could signal a continuation of the department's current trajectory, which may alleviate concerns about a drastic shift in leadership. McManus' emphasis on his successor being humble and able to work with the community also highlights the importance of building trust between law enforcement and the public. With McManus moving on to a role at Silver Ventures, which manages a prominent local development like The Pearl, his influence on the city's safety and security landscape will likely persist. Meanwhile, the speculation about McManus' potential future in politics will be closely watched, particularly if he were to consider a mayoral run, given his deep understanding of the city's public safety needs and his established relationships with the community.
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: 3 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? San Antonio Police Department Chief William McManus is retiring after two decades on the job.McManus originally said he would retire from the department on Sept. 30, but announced an accelerated retirement on July 10 earlier this month.In one of his final interviews as the department’s chief, McM...
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 Myra Arthur, Sal Salazar, Valerie Gomez 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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