San Antonio Police Chief William McManus announces Retirement After Two Decades of Service
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San Antonio Police Chief William McManus announced his retirement on Friday, with plans to remain in his role through the end of September, according to records obtained by KSAT Investigates. The declaration marks the end of an almost 20-year tenure, an unusually long period for a chief in a major U.S. city.
A Legacy of Leadership in San Antonio
City Manager Erik Walsh expressed gratitude for McManus’s dedication, stating in an email to city staff, “For his unwavering dedication to the Department and our community.†McManus, 74, echoed this sentiment in a statement to colleagues, obtained by KSAT Investigates. “After 20 years as Chief, working with the fantastic men and women of SAPD, Park and Airport Police, a great city management team under (City Manager) Erik Walsh, and unwavering community support, I have decided to retire in September helping with the transition in the meantime,†McManus said. He fondly reflected on his career, adding, “From DC, to Dayton, to Minneapolis, SATX has been the best! Keep up the great work and stay safe!â€
From Washington D.C.to the Alamo City
McManus’s career spans nearly five decades in law enforcement. He was initially appointed as San Antonio’s police chief in early 2006, bringing with him experience as the former chief of police for both the Minneapolis Police Department and the Dayton Police Department in Ohio. Prior to those roles, he served as assistant chief of police for the Metropolitan Police Department in Washington, D.C., where he began his career in 1975.
His commitment to san Antonio wasn’t without interruption. In 2015, mcmanus briefly left SAPD to serve as CPS Energy’s senior director of security, but he was afterward rehired in October of that same year to resume leadership from Interim Chief Anthony Treviño, his former deputy chief.
Recent Challenges and Political Dynamics
The announcement comes amidst a period of internal and external scrutiny for the department. Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones, through her spokesperson, acknowledged McManus’s service, stating, “The City of San Antonio is grateful for Chief McManus’ manny years of service, and I appreciate his decades long commitment to keeping San Antonio safe.†However, reports indicate that Jones has recently refrained from publicly endorsing McManus, and city officials have reportedly limited the release of communications regarding the chief.
The San Antonio Police Officers Association (SAPOA) also considered a vote of no confidence in McManus earlier this year. this move stemmed from criticism surrounding the criminal charges filed against three SAPD officers involved in the 2023 shooting death of Melissa Perez, with fellow officers alleging a premature rush to indictment. Ultimately, the SAPOA leadership decided against pursuing the vote. The association is scheduled to begin negotiations with the city on a new collective bargaining agreement later this year.
An unprecedented Tenure
McManus’s nearly two decades at the helm of the San Antonio Police Department represent a remarkably long tenure for a chief in a major metropolitan area. His leadership has spanned notable periods of growth and change for the city, and his departure will undoubtedly mark a turning point for the department.
Watch a recent interview with Chief mcmanus reflecting on his career: [insert YouTube URL here].
For more in-depth reporting on this story, visit the KSAT Investigates page. [Insert KSAT Investigates URL here].
