Police chief to retire after 27-year career

The city of Chamblee announces the retirement of longtime Police Chief Donny Williams effective July 1, according to a press release.

Williams’ tenure began on Chamblee’s police force in 1991. In 1993, Williams was named Officer of the Year by the DeKalb Lions Club. He also was the force’s first training officer, a position he assumed in 1994. In this role, he was primarily responsible for the training and evaluation of junior or probationary level officers.

The assistant chief of the department was called up for active duty in Afghanistan in 2008. Williams threw his hat in the ring to fill in for him during his absence — a position he got. When the assistant chief returned, he retired about five months later. Due to the structural makeup of the department, Williams was made the Captain, Uniform Commander in 2009. Then he assumed the assistant chief ’s position in 2012. In 2014, he became chief of the Chamblee Police Department.

“I feel we have accomplished great things at the police department during the last 27 years,” Williams says. “I was lucky enough to be mentored along the way by longtime devoted city employees. I have been around to see many changes and watch my fellow employees rise to the challenge each time.”

Williams says he has seen many changes in his 27 years at Chamblee Police Department: the size of the department — there are now 67 sworn officers; the use of technology and instant information; and training is better and that enables officers to do their jobs at a higher level.

Information: www.chambleega.gov or 770-986-5010.