San Antonio Police Chief William McManus has initiated an internal affairs investigation to determine how details of Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones’ security detail were leaked to the media.
This action follows a News 4 report raising concerns about officers being reassigned from street patrols to enhance security at the mayor’s residence.
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Reporters obtained internal post orders indicating that officers are required to guard both inside and outside the mayor’s private quarters.
Traditionally, mayors have only had security during the day, but sources reveal that officers assigned overnight are drawn from the downtown patrol unit, with some coming from bike patrol.
This reassignment results in fewer officers on the streets during nighttime hours.
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Councilman Marc Whyte, representing City Council District 10, expressed his concerns on News 4 at Noon.
“During budget season, I stated again that public safety is our top priority. We have a shortage of police officers on the streets of San Antonio, and so, um, in order for our citizens to feel safe, not just the mayor but our citizens deserve to feel safe. They deserve to be safe. We need to fund more officers on the streets,” Whyte said.
In a statement, Chief McManus emphasized that the recent media reports about the mayor’s security detail pose a serious threat to the department’s security operations.
We reached out to the mayor’s office for comment, but have not yet received a response.