When San Antonio Police Chief William McManus wakes up around 6, he checks how many slayings, shootings and other violent crimes took place overnight. “There's something sick about that,” the departing chief tells the San Antonio Express-News, reflecting on a 40-year career in law enforcement. “There really is something wrong with that.” Starting in January, after nearly nine years on the job, McManus, 63, will take over as head of security for city-owned CPS Energy. City Manager Sheryl Sculley appointed Deputy Police Chief Anthony Treviño as the interim chief while she conducts a national search for McManus' successor.
McManus was ever-present at major crime scenes and whenever police were involved in a shooting. He shuffled his command staff, which resulted in lawsuits from veteran female commanders, toughened the police pursuit and use-of-force policies and took on ride-sharing companies when he said they violated the city's vehicles-for-hire ordinance. Early in his tenure, he created a tactical response unit to focus on high-crime areas. Xomplaints piled up against the squad, which used force twice as much as any other unit, and he reassigned the commander. Recently, he proposed a law to cite people for giving money to panhandlers. The plan was dropped after a public outcry. Despite some problems, many credit his leadership with improving both the professionalism and the public perception of the police force.