San Antonio Police Chief William McManus announced plans to retire from the City of San Antonio by September 2026, ending nearly two decades as the city’s top law enforcement leader and marking the longest tenure of any police chief in San Antonio’s history.

McManus has served as chief of the San Antonio Police Department since April 17, 2006, guiding the department through significant growth, reform, and change while overseeing an overall decline in crime. His leadership has focused on professionalism, collaboration, and strengthening trust between officers and the community, as well as fostering a unified approach to public safety that includes SAPD, Parks Police, and Airport Police.

“Serving the City of San Antonio has been one of the greatest honors of my career,” McManus said. “I am proud of the men and women protecting our community. 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.”

City Manager Erik Walsh praised McManus for his steady leadership and long-term impact on public safety in San Antonio.

“Chief McManus is an exceptional leader whose experience and commitment have strengthened public safety across our city and set an example for police departments nationwide,” Walsh said. “He has built strong relationships with both the community and our officers, and his leadership has positioned the department well for the future.”

Before coming to San Antonio, McManus served as chief of police in Minneapolis and Dayton, Ohio. He began his law enforcement career in 1975 with the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan Police Department, where he worked in patrol and investigative assignments and rose through the ranks to assistant 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. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Villanova University and a master’s degree in management from Johns Hopkins University.

McManus will remain in his role as San Antonio police chief through September 2026 to ensure stability and continuity within the department. City officials said additional information regarding the transition process will be released at a later date.