Shawny Williams

  111 posts

Shawny Williams served as the chief of the Vallejo Police Department from late 2019 until Nov. 4, 2022 after he suddenly resigned. Williams, the city's first Black police chief, had a tumultuous tenure which included a public feud with the Vallejo Police Officers Association over low staffing levels within the department and the departure of several senior-level members of his command staff. Williams came to Vallejo from the San Jose Police Department.

  Dec 19, 2022

Interim Vallejo police chief seeks city council approval for gunshot detection devices

Atlanta-based Flock Safety is seeking to beta test the devices by pairing them with automated license plate readers (ALPR) already installed in Vallejo....

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  Dec 15, 2022

Vallejo City Council approves police oversight model

The council voted 6-1 to approve an ordinance creating a three-prong oversight approach....

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  Dec 06, 2022

‘Out of control’: Vallejo police Lt. Steve Darden’s reputation for unchecked anger

Darden has faced a string of excessive force complaints as well as internal complaints that allege he’s harassed, berated and bullied colleagues and subordinates....

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  Dec 05, 2022

Vallejo seeks to end order shielding cop who killed Sean Monterrosa

In its request filed in September in Solano County Superior Court, Vallejo officials claim that “there is no justifiable reason” to keep the injunction since numerous news outlets have publicized that officer Jarrett Tonn killed Monterrosa....

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  Dec 02, 2022

Vallejo police union president Lt. Michael Nichelini’s termination overturned, returns to duty next week

The arbitrator’s decision clears the way for the brash union president to return to the department after nearly two years....

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  Nov 29, 2022

Vallejo again searching for new deputy police chief after candidate backs out

Williams, a former interim Middle Tennessee State University police chief, was expected to fill one of two vacant deputy chief positions after former Deputy Police Chief Michael Kihmm was fired in October 2021....

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  Nov 17, 2022

Departed police chief gets support at Vallejo City Council meeting

Councilmember Mina Loera-Diaz said she supported Williams, who suddenly resigned on Nov. 4, after serving three years as Vallejo’s top cop. No reason was given for his departure....

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  Nov 04, 2022

Former Sacramento police chief hired as consultant for Vallejo PD

Hahn will receive up to $100,000 to advise Malone “on critical changes in the field of law enforcement and public safety.” Malone signed the contract Tuesday, three days before Williams resigned as chief....

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  Nov 04, 2022

Shawny Williams out as Vallejo police chief

The city said that Deputy Chief Jason Ta has been tapped to serve as interim police chief....

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  Oct 04, 2022

Dispatch manager leaves Vallejo, compounding staff shortage

The manager wrote a memo to police Chief Shawny Williams proposing to outsource police and fire dispatch services to the Solano County Sheriff’s Office....

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  Oct 03, 2022

Vallejo proceeds with firing Det. Jarrett Tonn for killing Sean Monterrosa

The department will attempt to fire Tonn despite the findings of a mandatory review hearing that the department waited too long to act....

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  Sep 29, 2022

Vallejo gets federal grant funds for license plate readers

The council ultimately approved accepting $142,374 from the Department of Justice, which a staff report from Police Chief Shawny Williams said would enhance officer safety, improve officer capabilities and help with “preventing and interrupting violent crime through innovative policing.”...

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