The Denton City Council has green-lit the appointment of Assistant Chief Tony Salas as the interim Chief of Police starting January 10, 2026, per a resolution passed in their latest meeting. Salas will temporarily take the helm from retiring Chief of Police Jessica Robledo, who's stepping down to spend time with family after the recent loss of a loved one; in this interim capacity, Salas will serve until a permanent chief is selected. The decision was confirmed by the Denton City Council last night, ensuring that Salas will hold the position until the Interim City Manager, or their successor, appoints a permanent replacement that will also require city council confirmation, as per the City of Denton.
Assistant Chief Salas, a member of the Denton Police Department since 2005, boasts a robust record throughout his tenure, climbing the ranks from a patrol officer to assuming the office of the Assistant Chief in 2024. In his career, Salas has worked to notably improve the department in various roles, including Narcotics and Major Crimes detective, before he was promoted to handle various specialized facets within the department. In a statement obtained by the City of Denton's official announcements, City Manager Sara Hensley praised the work of outgoing Chief Robledo, expressing confidence in Salas' ability to ensure a seamless transition and continuity of operations within the department.
Salas, commended for his achievements, notably received an accolade as the Supervisor of the Year in 2023 and has led specialized units both in the Operations Bureau and the Criminal Investigations Bureau. His promotion to Deputy Chief overseeing the North Operations Bureau came in 2023, and he has served as Assistant Chief since last year. According to the official announcement on Denton's website, the Denton Police Department is an accredited institution recognized by the Texas Police Chiefs Association's Law Enforcement Accreditation Program, stressing their dedication to data-driven and proactive policing since 1873.
