The city is asking residents to weigh in on a short survey to help shape what qualities Chief McManus’s successor should have.
SAN ANTONIO — For the first time in over a decade, San Antonio is in the early stages of searching for its next police chief.
William McManus, who has been at the helm of the department after nearly 20 years – briefly interrupted by a stint as CPS Energy’s senior security director in 2015 – announced in January that he plans to retire by September. That gives the city just a few months to find his successor.
The department had over 2,700 officers as of last fall.
City officials are asking for the public to weigh in on what they believe should be prioritized during the selection process via an online survey. The questionnaire, available here in English and here in Spanish, includes 17 questions spanning the survey taker’s confidence in the department, recent experience with officer interaction and what qualities they’d like to see in the next head of the police department.
“The input received through this survey will be used to develop an executive profile for the police chief applicants,” the city’s press release states, adding that leaders have partnered with the Police Executive Research Forum, a nonprofit that will help find the best option to lead SAPD.
The survey will be open until 5 p.m. on May 18.