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) - San Antonio News
· 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 Alamo Heights News
As Chief McManus prepares to leave the San Antonio Police Department after 20 years, his endorsement of Assistant Chief Jesse Salame as his potential successor is significant for Alamo Heights residents. Salame's familiarity with the community and his experience working under McManus could provide continuity in the department's approach to public safety, which is crucial for a community like Alamo Heights that values its low crime rate. McManus's emphasis on his successor being humble and able to work with the community also suggests that he recognizes the importance of building trust between law enforcement and the public, a key factor in maintaining safe neighborhoods. With McManus moving on to a new role at Silver Ventures, which manages The Pearl, a popular destination for Alamo Heights residents, his influence on local public safety may not be entirely diminished, and his potential future in politics could have implications for the community's safety priorities.
About this story
Original reporting by KSAT 12 (ABC) - San Antonio News . Alamo Heights News 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) - San Antonio News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: July 8, 2026 ·
Source: KSAT 12 (ABC) - San Antonio News ·
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) - San Antonio News and curated for Alamo Heights News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Myra Arthur, Sal Salazar, Valerie Gomez at KSAT 12 (ABC) - San Antonio News. To learn more about how Alamo Heights News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from Alamo Heights News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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