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Springfield’s new chief of police will begin his new position in a month, but he says if it were up to him he’d be starting next week. KSMU’s Chasity Mayes was there for the announcement and has this report.

Springfield’s new chief of police will begin his new position in a month, but he says if it were up to him he’d be starting next week. KSMU’s Chasity Mayes was there for the announcement and has this report.

The search has involved sifting through 64 qualified applications before it finally came down to just one. Paul Williams is the “new guy” who has been hired by Springfield’s city manager to serve as chief of police. Williams, with over 20 years of supervisory experience, is currently a major with the Tulsa Police Department.

Springfield’s city manager is Greg Burris. He made the announcement today and read a quote from Mike Evans, the head of the Springfield Police Officers Association, that made him think Williams could be what exactly what they were looking for.

“He said we are looking for a strong leader with unquestionable moral character. Someone who has the respect of his peers and subordinates. They must have vision and passion. We want someone who wants to be the Springfield police chief for the same reasons we all want to be Springfield police officers, because we love this community. That person will have passion for this community and ownership in it. I believe Paul fits that mold,” says Burris.

Burris also said Williams’ focus on public safety, planning, customer service, and leadership development were right on target for Springfield.

Williams, who will be taking the place of former candidate and current Interim Police Chief, Ron Hartman, said within his first few days he plans to work on building relationships with his new team. He will be offering question and answer sessions to the Springfield PD with the hopes of gaining trust and understanding. Until then, Williams says he plans to search for input and insight from Springfield’s police officers.

When asked what he plans to do about the city’s recent upswing in violent crimes, Williams said he plans to check into it, but he said he thinks it has been exaggerated.

“I characterize the city of Springfield about half of what Tulsa is. Half the population, half the square miles, half the police department, but the violent crime is not half. It’s much lower than that. So, I think there’s been a overrepresentation from looking from the outside of some violent crime that’s been occurring, but I don’t think its anything to be concerned with as a member of the public,” says Williams.

Williams and his family will be moving to Springfield in a month. He says he has no plans to incorporate strategies he used in Tulsa to fight crime in Springfield until he gets a feel for the city.

For KSMU News, I’m Chasity Mayes.
 

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