The Denton City Council has confirmed the appointment of Assistant Chief Tony Salas as the Acting Chief of Police, effective January 10, 2026. His appointment follows the announcement of current Chief Jessica Robledo’s retirement.
Chief Robledo will step down to focus on family after the 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,” said City Manager Sara Hensley.
Assistant Chief Salas joined the Denton Police Department in 2005. His career trajectory includes service as a patrol officer and a detective in both Narcotics and Major Crimes. In 2015, he was promoted to Sergeant, overseeing specialized units in the Operations Bureau and the Criminal Investigations Bureau. Subsequently, Salas was named Deputy Chief over the North Operations Bureau in 2023 and became Assistant Chief in 2024. Salas has received numerous commendations, notably being awarded the Supervisor of the Year in 2023.
The Denton Police Department, accredited by the Texas Police Chiefs Association (TPCA), has served the community since 1873 as a data-driven, proactive policing organization.