San Antonio Police Department promotes four officers

Over the last month, San Antonio Police Chief William McManus has promoted four officers to the San Antonio Police Department’s (SAPD) Command Staff. All of their experiences and background will help the SAPD move forward in its commitment to providing quality services to the citizens of San Antonio.

Last month, Geraldine Garcia was the first Hispanic woman to be promoted to serve as the Assistant Police Chief where she is overseeing the Tactical Support Division and the Investigations Division, as the Commander of the Administration Bureau.

Joining her is Deputy Chief Harry Griffin who was promoted to Assistant Chief replacing retiring Assistant Chief David Head. Griffin has served as a police officer for the City of San Antonio since 1976 and currently commands the Patrol Division-North and oversees 587 police officers. Prior to his current command, Griffin has served as a police academy instructor as well as the commanding officer of the Property Crime Section, Northwest Patrol Section, Research and Planning Section and as the Executive Officer of the Patrol Division. Griffin received a Bachelor of Science in Law Enforcement from Southwest Texas State University and graduated from the FBI National Academy in December 1999.

Captain Jose Bañales was promoted to Deputy Police Chief, replacing the position vacated by Assistant Chief Garcia. Deputy Chief Bañales joined the department in 1983. He is currently the Commander of the Major Crimes Section of the Criminal Investigation Division. Bañales has a Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences Degree from Texas State University with an emphasis in Criminal Justice Management and is a graduate of the FBI National Academy.

Finally, Captain Jeff Humphrey was promoted to the rank of Deputy Police Chief, to replace Assistant Chief Griffin. Prior to joining the SAPD in 1988, Humphrey served four years in the United States Marine Corps and three years service in corporate security with Eastern Airlines at Miami International Airport. He is currently serving as the West Patrol Substation Commander. Humphrey received a master’s degree in organizational management from Wayland Baptist University and has attended the Bill Blackwood Law Enforcement Management Institute’s Command Staff Leadership Series.

“We congratulate these four individuals on their accomplishments and I’m looking forward to working with them in their new capacity,” said City Manager Sheryl Sculley.