Shawny Williams

  108 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.

  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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  Oct 11, 2023

Sheriff, CHP withhold staffing support pending Vallejo police union contract

VPOA’s current contract expired in March 2022, and staffing has plummeted by more than 20 officers since then....

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  Oct 04, 2023

Under VPOA control, Vallejo police had no hiring guidelines

Newly released records show how the Vallejo Police Officers Association worked to maintain their grip on hiring, contributing to the department’s staffing crisis....

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  Sep 14, 2023

Arbitrator found Vallejo cop’s killing of Sean Monterrosa was ‘reasonable’

The 70-page opinion provides new information about the arbitrator's reasoning in ordering the reinstatement of Detective Jarrett Tonn....

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