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.

  May 11, 2022

A third of Vallejo’s city jobs are vacant, data shows

Most of the staff shortages are in the police, water and fire departments....

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  May 02, 2022

City council to get first look at Vallejo’s new budget

The Vallejo Police Department budget is expected to generate interest from the community, as it has during the past two budget discussions....

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  Apr 21, 2022

Arbitrator orders reinstatement of fired Vallejo police lieutenant

The arbitrator also ordered the city to pay 10% interest on Lt. Herman Robinson’s back pay....

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  Apr 18, 2022

Vallejo police offer up questionable use of force statistics

The police union said that the 33% decline in reported force incidents was because there were fewer officers in the department....

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  Apr 11, 2022

Vallejo’s new surveillance advisory board to meet April 21

The seven-person board is set to select a chair and vice chair to serve from April to March 2023....

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  Apr 07, 2022

Vallejo City Council to again vote on $30M loan for police HQ, protest planned

A police accountability rally is scheduled to take place ahead of Tuesday’s council meeting....

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  Apr 07, 2022

Vallejo City Council to get update on status of $10M VPOA lawsuit

The lawsuit from former Lt. Michael Nichelini alleges he was subjected to harassment, retaliation and intimidation by top-ranking Vallejo city officials....

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  Mar 31, 2022

How badge bending became a ritual among Vallejo police

For the last two decades, some members of the Vallejo Police Department have bent the tips of badges belonging to officers after they were involved in an on-duty shooting....

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  Mar 25, 2022

Vallejo implements new security rules for council meetings following protest

Family members of men shot and killed by Vallejo police briefly shut down the meeting to demand the involved officers be held accountable....

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  Mar 23, 2022

Judge says outside investigation into Vallejo police badge-bending tradition has ‘no value’

The judge said retired Sonoma County Sheriff Rob Giordano's investigation into Vallejo police's tradition of badge-bending after shooting someone on duty is "not designed to bring some light" into the practice....

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  Mar 23, 2022

Vallejo City Council signs off on public outreach plan regarding police oversight

The council signed off on a nearly three-month plan to solicit recommendations from the Vallejo community on which independent oversight model will work best...

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  Mar 09, 2022

Vallejo City Council delays vote on $30M loan for police HQ as protesters demand release of badge-bending report

Protesters confronted Vallejo Police Chief Shawny Williams as they alleged that he has no power to reform the department....

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