Overview
- The San Antonio Police Officers’ Association president, Danny Diaz, urged a no-confidence vote over what he called Chief William McManus’ “knee-jerk” and “politically motivated” decision to arrest three officers within about 16 hours of the 2023 shooting.
- Chief McManus said his actions were based on the case’s circumstances, asserted he supports officers when force is within policy and law, denied political pressure, and pledged to keep working with the union.
- SAPOA directors will meet with members and decide on Dec. 11 whether to hold the non-binding vote, a step separate from the union’s 2016 no-confidence action that saw 97% disapproval of the chief.
- The union push follows a Bexar County jury’s Nov. 10 acquittal of former Sgt. Alfred Flores and former Officer Eleazar Alejandro on murder charges and ex-Officer Nathaniel Villalobos on an aggravated assault charge.
- In interviews this week, two acquitted officers described relief and split-second decision-making, offered condolences and an apology to Melissa Perez’s family, and said they are reassessing possible returns to policing, including through arbitration.