By Edmond Ortiz
San Antonio’s top officials said they look forward to arriving at final achievements with Police Chief William McManus, who announced Jan. 16 that he will retire this September.
What is happening
Upon retirement, McManus will cap nearly 20 years of public service as San Antonio’s longest-serving police chief. He was first appointed San Antonio’s top cop on April 17, 2006. Prior to that, he served as police chief in Minneapolis, Minnesota and Dayton, Ohio.
McManus began his law enforcement career in 1975, when he joined the Washington D.C. Metropolitan Police Department. There, he rose to the rank of captain.
In 1998, McManus was promoted to commander of the First District, which includes Capitol Hill and areas west of the White House, according to a city press release. Later that year, he was promoted to assistant chief of the Metropolitan Police Department and held that position until 2001.
Chief McManus is a graduate of the FBI National Executive Institute and National Academy, and the Senior Management Institute for Police at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government.
What they are saying
McManus said serving San Antonio has been one of his greatest professional honors.
“I am proud of the men and women protecting our community,” he said in a statement. “Together, we have strengthened trust and advanced public safety. I remain fully committed to this work through my final year and to supporting a smooth and thoughtful transition.”
While local leaders have not yet said how they will go about appointing a new police chief, they thanked McManus for his work over nearly decades in San Antonio.
“Chief McManus is an exceptional leader whose incredible experience and steady leadership have strengthened public safety across San Antonio and set an example for other cities nationwide,” City Manager Erik Walsh said in a statement.
“He has built strong relationships with our community and with police officers. His dedication to service and collaboration has positioned the Department well for the future, and we are grateful for his continued leadership through September 2026.”
District 7 Councilmember Marina Aldrete Gavito issued the following statement about McManus’ retirement announcement: “I’ve appreciated working with Chief McManus, and our residents consistently valued how clearly and directly he communicated with them. His leadership will be missed, and I wish him well in retirement.”
