Alamo Metropolis has a brand new prime cop. On Wednesday, September 2, Metropolis Supervisor Erik Walsh introduced Assistant Chief Jesus “Jesse” Salame will now lead the San Antonio Police Division, capping off a nationwide search after former Chief William McManus retired in July.
A lifelong San Antonian, Salame joined SAPD in June 1999 and has spent practically three a long time climbing the ranks. In a Wednesday press convention, Walsh stated his profession trajectory and emphasis on inner and group relationships have been the deciding components within the appointment.
“I’ve the utmost confidence in Jesse’s potential to guide the San Antonio Police Division in its mission to enhance high quality of life in San Antonio by making a protected atmosphere in partnership with the folks they serve,” Walsh stated in an announcement, including that Salame’s strategy to constructing belief and transparency made him “the best selection to guide the police division into the longer term.”
Salame grew to become deputy police chief in December 2022, taking up chief of workers duties and oversight of Inside Affairs, the Coaching Academy, the Public Data Workplace, and Open Information. Throughout his time on that job, he helped launch SAPD’s Officer Wellness Unit. He performed a job within the division turning into the primary legislation enforcement company within the nation to earn Degree 1 Foundational Trauma-Knowledgeable Care Organizational Certification. He additionally served because the division’s LGBTQ+ Liaison Officer and oversaw recruitment efforts.
In 2024, Salame moved as much as assistant chief of the Operations Help Bureau, taking cost of specialised models together with Murder, the Particular Victims Unit, Covert Operations, the Fusion Heart, the Psychological Well being Unit, and SA CORE. He additionally represented SAPD on a multi-agency committee targeted on psychological well being diversion, working with leaders to broaden behavioral well being response and enhance outcomes for folks coping with psychological sickness, mental disabilities, or substance use points. He is been serving as appearing police chief since July 11.
In keeping with a launch, the search that led to Salame’s appointment stretched throughout a number of levels and pulled in citizen suggestions, together with two group panels chosen by the mayor and Metropolis Council members, a panel of group stakeholders, and a panel of 12 randomly chosen SAPD staff. Walsh and Deputy Metropolis Supervisor María Villagómez then met individually with the highest finalists earlier than selecting Salame.
Metropolis Council is ready to formally affirm the appointment on September 10.
