Shawny Williams is the first African American police chief of the city of Vallejo, California.[1] In September, 2019 Williams was tapped as the next police chief after Chief Andrew Bidou stepped down. He was sworn in as the police chief in November 2019.[2][3] He has pledged to move the police department in a new direction and to stay transparent and accountable.[4] By 2020, after a year as police chief, he had instituted a number of reforms including banning choke holds, instituting a mandatory body-worn camera and a clear de-escalation protocol.[4] In September 2020 he announced what he called operation PEACE which is a community program to engage residents more to help solve crimes.[4]
In July 2022, Williams received an official vote of no confidence from the Vallejo Police Officers’ Association.[5]
In November 2022, Williams resigned his position and was paid $408,000 for doing so.[6]
It has been claimed that Williams lied under oath (perjury) during his time as Chief of Police. [7] If investigated and found to be true, this would decertify Williams by POST and preclude him from being employed by another police agency in California under SB2[8]
Prior to becoming the police chief, Williams was with the San Jose Police Department for 26 years and was most recently the head of their investigations division.[9]
Williams has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Simpson University and a Master of Arts degree from Fort Hays State University in Organizational Leadership. He graduated from the FBI National Academy in 2012.[10] Williams speaks Spanish.[2]
References edit
- ^ Breeanna Hare. "This California city has a history of police using deadly force. Its first Black police chief looks toward reform". CNN. Retrieved 2021-05-03.
- ^ a b Kreutz, Liz (2019-11-13). "'Today is a rebirth:' Vallejo Police Department swears in new police chief amid turmoil". ABC7 San Francisco. Retrieved 2021-05-03.
- ^ AP (2020-10-07). "Vallejo approves emergency declaration to reform police department". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2021-05-03.
- ^ a b c Sernoffsky, Evan (2020-09-23). "Vallejo police chief pledges reform, but community wary after decade of controversial killings". KTVU FOX 2. Retrieved 2021-05-03.
- ^ Lee, Henry (2022-07-27). "Vallejo police union hands down vote of no-confidence against top cop". KTVU FOX 2. Retrieved 2023-03-24.
- ^ "2022-10-26 SKW Signed FINAL Resignation and Separation Agreement.pdf - NextRequest - Modern FOIA & Public Records Request Software". vallejo.nextrequest.com. Retrieved 2023-03-25.
- ^ King, Laurence Du Sault, Katy St Clair, Geoffrey (2021-11-02). "Claim alleges false testimony by Vallejo police chief". Open Vallejo. Retrieved 2023-04-13.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ "SB 2". post.ca.gov. Retrieved 2023-04-13.
- ^ "San Jose Deputy Chief Tapped As New Vallejo Police Chief". 2019-09-13. Retrieved 2021-05-03.
- ^ "Police Chief Bio". www.cityofvallejo.net. Retrieved 2021-05-03.