San Antonio City Manager Erik Walsh has announced the retirement of San Antonio Fire Chief Charles Hood, following an investigation into inappropriate and offensive comments made by Hood. The investigation confirmed that Chief Hood violated the City’s Equal Employment Opportunity Administrative Directive, Fire Department Rules and Regulations, and failed to meet the City's expectations for a department leader.

The City Manager's Office initiated the investigation upon learning of potential inappropriate comments by Chief Hood. Outside counsel Rick Garza from the law firm Jackson Walker conducted the investigation, during which Chief Hood admitted to making vulgar, demeaning, and disrespectful comments towards women. Such comments were deemed disruptive to the professional operations of the department and are not acceptable.

Deputy Chief Christopher Monestier will assume oversight of the Fire Department in the interim while the City Manager meets with the Command Staff to appoint an interim Fire Chief by next week. A national search for a permanent Fire Department Chief will begin immediately, considering both internal and external applicants.