This story has been updated.
Police Chief William McManus is retiring earlier than expected to take a leadership role with the company behind Pearl, ending his two-decade tenure at the San Antonio Police Department weeks before the city begins contentious budget deliberations.
McManus was expected to retire Sept. 30, but will now exit the role July 10 after accepting a position as vice president of safety and security for Silver Ventures, the San Antonio-based developer behind Pearl, Hotel Emma and other hospitality and real estate projects.
The search for his successor is ongoing, but the city plans to choose an acting chief from within the San Antonio Police Department command before McManus’ last day.
Interviews for San Antonio’s next police chief will take place in August, with a final selection expected in September.
McManus will oversee safety and security across Silver Venture’s developments, hotels, restaurants, retail properties and entertainment venues. In announcing the hire Wednesday, CEO Bryant Ambelang said McManus would help manage security as the company’s developments continue to expand.
McManus has served as San Antonio’s chief since April 17, 2006, overseeing major shifts in public safety and policing in the city — including changes in leadership, department growth, and evolving community expectations around accountability and transparency.
“Serving the San Antonio community alongside the men and women of SAPD has been the greatest privilege of my law enforcement career,” McManus said. “Thank you, San Antonio.”
His departure also means he will not be leading the department through this year’s city budget process. San Antonio is facing a major budget deficit and the trial budget presented in June proposed tax increases and spending cuts while funding no additional police officers.
In recent months, he’s clashed with Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones after details about the mayor’s police security were leaked to the press amid a fight about funding for new officers.
