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Chief William McManus reflects on time with SAPD

McManus said SAPD career has focused on community safety and accountability

SAN ANTONIO – Chief William McManus' days with the San Antonio Police Department are numbered, and he prepares to start the new year with a new job.

Monday night, KSAT heard from the man who will lead the department in the interim -- Deputy Chief Anthony Trevino.

Tuesday night, Mcmanus told the night team's Paul Venema his career at SAPD has been focused on keeping the community safe and about accountability.

"I don't think you ever accomplish everything you want to accomplish," McManus said. "There's really no finish line."

But McManus said he looks back on his nearly nine years with SAPD with a certain sense of accomplishment. Internally, he said, things are better from a technology standpoint and in at least one major policy change -- the department's pursuit policy.

"It made things safer for police and it made things safer in the community for the motoring public," he said.

McManus said the department has moved in a positive direction outside of the department.

"We've made great inroads with the county (and) we've made great inroads with other police departments in terms of working together," he said.

He said he enjoys a team player reputation both at City Hall and with the Officer's Union. "It's a balancing act for sure," McManus said.

And whether it's been at City Hall or a crime scene, McManus has been visible.

"It was intentional that you saw me in front of the camera," he said. "It was my goal to be the voice and the face of the San Antonio Police Department."

If things were going well, it made the job easy. If they weren't, he said, he was there to take his lumps.

McManus said his new job doesn't mean that he is disappearing. He plans to remain active in the community, but not in the police department.

"Once I'm gone, I'm gone. And I don't intend to look in the rearview mirror," McManus said. "In any other way, in some capacity, I'm happy to do that."

He said community involvement has served him and the department well. "We've raised the profile of the San Antonio Police Department in a good way," McManus added.


About the Author
Paul Venema headshot

Paul Venema is a courthouse reporter for KSAT with more than 25 years experience in the role.

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