City of Denton Council Confirms Assistant Chief Tony Salas as Acting Chief of Police

DENTON, TX, Dec. 16, 2025 - This evening, the Denton City Council approved a resolution confirming the appointment of Assistant Chief Tony Salas as the city's Acting Chief of Police, effective Jan. 10, 2026. This appointment will remain in effect until a permanent Chief of Police is appointed by the Interim City Manager or their successor and confirmed by City Council.

Assistant Chief Salas will assume command of the Police Department following the retirement of current Chief of Police, Jessica Robledo. She recently announced her departure to focus on family following an unexpected death of a loved one.

"Chief Robledo has been an exemplary leader, and her commitment to ethical policing and community trust will have a lasting impact on our city. While her presence will be missed, we fully respect her need to put family first," says City Manager Sara Hensley. "We are fortunate for Assistant Chief Salas' willingness to serve in an acting capacity to ensure a seamless transition and continuity of operations within the department."

Assistant Chief Tony Salas joined the Denton Police Department in 2005. He has served in various roles throughout his career, starting as a patrol officer, then serving as a Narcotics and Major Crimes detective. In 2015, Salas was promoted to the rank of Sergeant and supervised multiple specialized units in the Operations Bureau and the Criminal Investigations Bureau. Salas was named Deputy Chief over the North Operations Bureau in 2023, and he has served as Assistant Chief since 2024. Throughout his career, Salas has received numerous commendations for his performance as a patrol officer, detective, and supervisor, including the department's Supervisor of the Year award in 2023.

The City of Denton Police Department is an accredited agency through the Texas Police Chiefs Association (TPCA) Texas Law Enforcement Accreditation Program. They have proudly served the community since 1873, and is an intelligence-led, data-driven, proactive policing organization.

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Contact: Dustin Sternbeck, (940) 349-8251, [email protected]

(About Denton) Denton is a community like no other - we're welcoming, innovative, creative, diverse, unique and authentic. The City is a vibrant and growing community with many opportunities, no matter what your interest or passion. You're free to be whoever you are in a friendly atmosphere with a small-town vibe that's just a short drive away from the big city. And we invite your friends to discover Denton, too!

Visit www.cityofdenton.com for more news and to stay updated.