Shawny Williams

  117 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 31, 2021

2021 was year of turnover and turmoil in Vallejo and Solano County government

The city of Vallejo grappled with a significant amount of turnover at city hall and within the Vallejo Police Department....

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  Dec 17, 2021

Vallejo police moved to replace windshield detective fired through before confirming Sean Monterrosa’s death

A lieutenant was disciplined for authorizing the destruction of the windshield....

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  Dec 13, 2021

Vallejo City Council expected to approve raises for city staff Tuesday

If approved, employees in each group will receive a 2% salary increase this year....

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  Dec 08, 2021

Vallejo detective facing termination said there was no option ‘whatsoever’ but to kill Sean Monterrosa

Thursday’s disclosure also contained redacted audio files of interviews with key players as Vallejo detectives investigated their own....

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  Dec 02, 2021

Report finds Vallejo’s Jarrett Tonn violated policy when he killed Sean Monterrosa

The department still has not named Jarrett Tonn as the shooter, but indicated in a press release that it intends to impose discipline for the policy violations....

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  Nov 30, 2021

The Vacaville PR firm influencing police narratives across California

Cole Pro Media helps agencies bury bad news, advises them to remain silent about damaging revelations, and drafts scripts and responses excusing police use of force....

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  Nov 30, 2021

Vallejo PD loses another member of command staff as Capt. Lee Horton retires

Moments before Vallejo police officer Jarrett Tonn fatally shot Sean Monterrosa, Horton announced that “it looks like they’re armed, possibly armed."...

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  Nov 19, 2021

Vallejo police included in White House effort to reduce gun violence

“It’s critical that we work together as local officials and community partners to reduce crime and help prevent gun violence in Vallejo,” U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson said....

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  Nov 04, 2021

Fired Vallejo lieutenant alleges pattern of discrimination, false statements by chief

Herman Robinson, who served 47-years with the Vallejo Police Department before being terminated on April 1, alleges that Williams lied under oath....

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  Nov 04, 2021

Vallejo fights disclosure of badge-bending records in criminal court

Judge Daniel Healy had ordered that the city produce records under seal to the Solano County Public Defender’s Office....

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  Nov 01, 2021

Vallejo community expresses distrust of police during DOJ listening session

One facilitator said participants didn’t have anything positive to say about the police force but he noted that “the community is going to see this through, they aren’t going anywhere.”...

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  Oct 20, 2021

Vallejo police virtual town hall avoids direct community engagement

Questions were relayed from smaller groups and hand-picked to be presented to Chief Shawny Williams. He only took four questions...

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