San Antonio has a new permanent police chief. City Manager Erik Walsh selected Jesse Salame, a 26 year veteran of the San Antonio Police Department, to permanently lead SAPD after Salame spent the past several weeks running the department on an interim basis.

Who Is San Antonio’s New Police Chief?

Salame has spent more than two and a half decades rising through the ranks of SAPD. He was appointed deputy chief in December 2022, where he served as chief of staff and oversaw Internal Affairs, the Training Academy, the Public Information Office and Open Records. He was promoted to assistant chief in November 2024, taking charge of the department’s Operations Support Bureau before stepping into the acting chief role earlier this summer.

Why Did the City Need a New Chief?

The appointment fills the vacancy left by longtime Chief William McManus, who led SAPD for roughly 20 years before retiring this summer. McManus had originally planned to stay through the end of September but accelerated his departure, prompting the city to name Salame as acting chief while officials conducted a formal search for a permanent replacement. That search included a public application window, community interview panels in August and vetting by City Manager Walsh, who holds the authority to appoint the chief.

What Did City Officials Say About the Pick?

Walsh has been consistent in his praise for Salame throughout the process. “I know Jesse well and he is a strong leader who is well respected within and outside the Department,” Walsh said. “I have full confidence in Jesse leading the Police Department.” Former Chief McManus, who publicly endorsed Salame as his preferred successor before retiring, echoed that sentiment, describing Salame as someone deeply familiar with both the department and the community. “He’s been with me through almost the whole 20 years,” McManus said. “He knows the department, knows the community. Very familiar with the path we took, the changes we made, why we made them, how we made them.” McManus called Salame “a great candidate” for the permanent role.

What Happens Next in the Process?

District 1 Councilwoman Sukh Kaur, who chairs the city’s Public Safety Committee, confirmed the appointment Wednesday after Walsh notified Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones and the full City Council by email. While Walsh holds the authority to select the chief, the mayor and the 10 member City Council are still expected to formally confirm the appointment through a majority vote, a step that follows the city’s standard process for finalizing department leadership.

What Has Salame Said About Leading the Department?

During his time as acting chief, Salame described himself as a “steward” of the department, saying he did not plan sweeping changes but wanted to hear directly from officers, professional staff and the community before shaping his approach. He said he was “extremely grateful” for McManus’s public support and had hoped the interim appointment would put him in strong position for the permanent job, which he confirmed applying for over the summer.

What Is Salame’s Background With SAPD?

Beyond his roles in Internal Affairs, training and public communications, Salame’s career with the department includes time working as a detective, giving him experience across both investigative and administrative sides of law enforcement before rising into SAPD’s senior command structure.

This story is developing. FOU News will continue to follow developments as San Antonio officials release further information on the confirmation process.