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.

  Sep 12, 2022

City of Vallejo and police union settle on spokesperson position

The agreement resets that arrangement as the department will now have two spokespersons: a sworn public information officer and a civilian public relations manager....

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  Sep 09, 2022

Vallejo’s surveillance advisory board codifies opposition to gunshot detection system

The board voted 4-2 during a special meeting on Tuesday to support a resolution recommending that the Vallejo City Council reject an offer from Atlanta-based Flock Safety to pair the devices with automated license plate readers already installed in Vallejo....

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  Sep 01, 2022

Central Vallejo City Council candidates emphasize infrastructure, development during hour-long forum

Four of the five candidates hoping to represent the new District 5 explained why they would make a good fit on the Vallejo City Council during an hour-long forum....

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  Aug 31, 2022

North Vallejo City Council candidates support police reform, differ on taxes in first forum

Four candidates vying to represent District 2 outlined their goals during a candidates' forum held at the Friendship Missionary Baptist Church on Tuesday....

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  Aug 24, 2022

Vallejo City Council shows early support for forming strong police commission

The council said it wanted to see more of a model presented by Common Ground, a non-partisan group of religious and non-profit organizations....

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  Aug 19, 2022

Vallejo City Council to decide on police oversight model

The Vallejo City Council is scheduled to decide on a new police oversight model during a special meeting on Tuesday. The council will receive the results from a three-month outreach plan soliciting recommendations from the community on which model will best reform the beleaguered police department....

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  Aug 10, 2022

Spokesperson Brittany Jackson leaves Vallejo Police Department

Vallejo Police Chief Shawny Williams has another vacancy to fill after Brittany K. Jackson resigned from her position as the department’s civilian spokesperson....

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  Jul 29, 2022

Vallejo police Lt. Drew Ramsay tapped to serve as acting captain

Ramsay will partially fill the hole left by the departures of captains Jason Potts and Todd Tribble over the past months....

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  Jul 20, 2022

Vallejo police killing of Ronell Foster led to internal conflict, newly released records show

While then-Sgt. Sanjay Ramrakha cleared McMahon of any policy violations in the fatal shooting, both the department's deputy police chief and interim police chief who ordered the investigation disagreed....

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  Jul 14, 2022

Vallejo surveillance board rejects gunshot detection system

The city council has final authority over acceptance of the devices and will discuss the issue at an upcoming meeting....

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  Jul 11, 2022

Impacted families to issue demands during Vallejo City Council meeting; new tax measure likely for November ballot

Organizers are demanding that the city “vigorously pursue” the firing of Vallejo police Det. Jarrett Tonn....

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  Jul 08, 2022

Vallejo police lieutenant files harassment lawsuit against city

Lt. Herman Robinson filed his lawsuit alleging that Chief Shawny Williams has refused to allow him to return to work....

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