Chief of Police - San Antonio; TX

Chief of Police

The City of San Antonio seeks an accomplished police executive with a proven record of building trust across the department and the community—a decisive leader who champions officers’ professional development and well‑being while delivering responsive and fair public safety services their community deserves.

This is an opportunity to lead one of the nation’s largest municipal police departments in the seventh‑largest city in the United States. San Antonio has a rich cultural heritage, strong civic pride, diverse neighborhoods, and a deep military presence. As its national profile grows and evolves, the city’s character is preserved in close connections among its communities. The next Chief of Police will guide the department through an important leadership transition, stepping into a role that demands authority and credibility as well as a compassionate, personal touch—what both residents and employees have consistently called for.

San Antonio operates under a council‑manager form of government. The City Council is comprised of 11 elected officials — 10 members are elected by their districts, and the Mayor is elected  City Manager oversees the daily operations and programs of the City and appoints the executives who lead the City’s departments. The Police Chief reports to the City Manager.

The San Antonio Police Department (SAPD) is one of the largest municipal police agencies in Texas, serving a diverse urban environment across one of the nation’s fastest‑growing cities. The department includes approximately 4,000 total authorized positions, including over 2,900 sworn positions, who provide comprehensive services across residential neighborhoods, business districts, entertainment corridors, tourism areas, major events, and critical infrastructure throughout the city.

Candidates should possess at least 10 years of professional experience in municipal police work and at least 5 years of command‑level, administrative or supervisory experience in a municipal, county, state, or comparable public safety organization. Experience leading in a large metropolitan environment is strongly preferred.

• Executive leadership experience in a complex policing environment.
• Strong operational and administrative leadership skills, including experience managing large organizations, budgets, and personnel.
• Proven track record of building organizational trust and operational excellence.
• Demonstrated commitment to officer wellness, professional development, and leadership pipeline development.
• Experience building collaborative relationships across diverse communities, government partners, nonprofits, and advocacy organizations.
• Knowledge of contemporary evidence‑based policing practices, prevention strategies, and public safety trends.
• Strong written, verbal, and public communication skills, including the ability to engage media and navigate politically complex environments.
• Commitment to ethical leadership, fair and consistent accountability, and transparency.

Spanish language skills or demonstrated cultural competency in multicultural environments is preferred.

A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university is required. An advanced degree or executive leadership training (such as the Senior Management Institute for Police, FBI National Academy, or equivalent) is preferred.

Salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience. The City of San Antonio offers a competitive executive compensation and benefits package.

The City of San Antonio is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to professionalism, integrity, fairness, and excellence in public service.