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.

  Jun 12, 2024

Vallejo kicks off national search for new police chief

The city will hold an online public engagement meeting on June 27 and in-person meetings on June 29 and July 25....

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  Jun 03, 2024

Arbitrator upholds termination of former Vallejo officer for Willie McCoy shooting

Ryan McMahon was the only officer disciplined for the shooting of Willie McCoy, who was found unresponsive behind the wheel of his car in a Taco Bell drive-thru in 2019....

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  May 22, 2024

Police union president sues Vallejo after federal lawsuit fails

A lawsuit filed in Solano County echoes many of the claims VPOA president made in a federal lawsuit, which a judge dismissed last month....

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  Mar 28, 2024

Vallejo deputy police chief leaves department as veteran captain gets promotion

Vallejo police Deputy Chief Joseph Gomez left the Vallejo Police Department shortly after Capt. Robert Knight was promoted to deputy chief....

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  Feb 13, 2024

As Vallejo police use of force escalates, liability claims pile up

Vallejo police statistics show a dramatic rise in use of force by officers and the city has seen an increase in claims filed by civil rights attorneys....

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  Jan 25, 2024

Attorney for fired Vallejo cop seeks to restrain Vallejo Sun from reporting client’s disciplinary record

Attorney tells Sun to "not do a story" on records publicly posted to the federal court's website....

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  Jan 09, 2024

Vallejo settles lawsuit over 2019 police killing of Willie McCoy for $5M

The settlement is one of the largest in the city’s history....

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  Dec 29, 2023

Year in review: How the Vallejo police union won in 2023

Vallejo also struggled to contend with homelessness and declining attendance in schools....

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  Nov 17, 2023

Vallejo City Council approves police union contract at empty meeting

The three-year contract will provide police officers with a 16% raise over the next three years and a one-time bonus....

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  Nov 16, 2023

Vallejo City Council to vote on police union contract

The contract will provide Vallejo police officers with a 16% raise over the next three years....

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  Oct 30, 2023

Use of force by Vallejo police officers increased fivefold in 2023

The increase comes despite that crime is down in most categories so far this year....

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  Oct 24, 2023

VPOA president alleges Vallejo city officials discussed firing him in secret meetings

Lt. Michael Nichelini's lawsuit alleges that city officials had an official policy to dismantle the Vallejo Police Officer Association leadership....

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