safety
What's next for SAPD after Chief William McManus retires?
By Madalynn Lambert, Santiago Esparza at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate)
· July 8, 2026
· 2 min read
San Antonio Police Department Chief William McManus is set to retire Friday, and the city is searching for his replacement. In an interview with KSAT’s Myra Arthur, McManus said he wants his successor to be someone who is “humble” and “knows the department.”The city posted the opening for his job...
Key takeaway ”A survey conducted by the City of San Antonio with over 1,800 participants found that they want the next police chief to have strong leadership, high levels of integrity, honesty and accountability.
Why this matters in The San Antonio
The search for San Antonio Police Department's next chief comes at a critical time, as the city grapples with staffing shortages and rising concerns over response times and crime prevention. With public safety accounting for the largest portion of the city's budget, the new chief will face pressure to balance resource allocation with community demands for accountability and transparency. The city's efforts to add 360 patrol officers over the next few years will likely be a key challenge for the incoming chief, who will need to navigate the complexities of recruitment and retention in a competitive law enforcement landscape. As the city moves forward with the hiring process, residents will be watching closely to see how the new chief addresses the concerns voiced in the city's survey, including the need for strong leadership and high levels of integrity. The next chief's ability to build trust with both the department and the community will be crucial in shaping the future of public safety in San Antonio.
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: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? San Antonio Police Department Chief William McManus is set to retire Friday, and the city is searching for his replacement. In an interview with KSAT’s Myra Arthur, McManus said he wants his successor to be someone who is “humble” and “knows the department.”The city posted the opening for his job...
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 Madalynn Lambert, Santiago Esparza 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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