During his first two years as Chief, Williams implemented a number of programs and strategies for improving the Department’s customer service and overall efficiency. Under his leadership, the Command Staff of the Department sought input from the community and Department members and was able to formulate a new Mission and Values Statement that is reflective of the Department’s community policing philosophy and focuses on problem solving in partnership with citizens. He also directed the development of a five-year Strategic Agenda for the Department, designed to enhance the Department’s community policing approach to solving and preventing crime.

Under Chief Williams’ leadership the Department, in cooperation with Wichita State University, conducted one of the most comprehensive racial profiling studies in the nation. The findings of the study did not support that racial profiling exists in Wichita, but the Department still implemented a number of proactive initiatives that were nationally recognized by the Police Executive Research Forum.

In response to city growth in 2003, Chief Williams was granted City Council approval to add two new beats to the city’s beat structure. The addition of the two beats decreased response times to 911 calls and enhanced overall customer service.

In 2004, Chief Williams was tasked with the responsibility of Wichita City Hall campus security. This assignment followed on the heels of the Wichita Police Department being assigned the responsibility of enhancing the City’s overall Homeland Security efforts.

Some of his other major accomplishments as Chief include: neighborhood-basing the Traffic Section and the implementation of the Comprehensive Traffic Safety Plan; the acquisition of a new helicopter, a methamphetamine vehicle and a bomb truck; re-structuring the Professional Standards Bureau to make it more customer friendly; and implementing the Victim’s Assistance Unit. Technological advancements for the Department in 2003 included a new public safety system and the addition of 95-networked computers for detectives and officers.

In 2003 Chief Williams was honored when the Wichita Police Department won two national awards. The Department was the recipient of the Boy Scouts of America Whitney Young, Jr., Community Service Award for its Camp Awareness Program.

The Department was also selected as a winner of the 2003 Webber Seavey Excellence in Law Enforcement Award for its Planeview Project. The Wichita Police Department is the only police department in the world to have won the Webber Seavey twice (2003 and 1996) and to have been a top 10 finalist once (2000).

Chief Williams began his career with the Wichita Police Department in 1975 as a Patrol Officer. During his 29 years with the Police Department, Williams has been promoted to the rank of Lieutenant, Captain and Deputy Chief.  Before being appointed Chief, Williams worked as a Deputy Chief in each of the Department’s three Divisions: Investigations, Support Services and Field Services. Thus, he brought a wealth of information and well-rounded experience to the Office of the Chief.

Some of his most notable accomplishments as a Deputy Chief include the development and implementation of the Targeted Offender Program; key player in the implementation of community policing; managing the security operations for the high-profile visits to Wichita of former President Bill Clinton and General Colin Powell.

Chief Williams is a highly decorated officer who has been shot in the line of duty on two different occasions, and has received numerous awards and recognitions during his career. His professional awards include: Wichita Police Department’s Gold Wreath of Honor (the Department’s highest award); three Department Bronze Wreath of Meritorious Service Awards; the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Department Bronze Wreath of Meritorious Service Award; the Kansas Association of Chiefs of Police Gold Valor and the Miami National Law Enforcement Hall of Fame Honor Roll.

Community recognitions include: Outstanding Community Service Award; Black Achievers Award; NAACP Image Award; Service and Progress to Humanity Award; Ministerial League Police Officer of the Year; Independent Insurance Women Police Officer of the Year; the Native American and Hispanic Coalition Appreciation Certificate; Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Distinguished Community Service Award; and the Gamma Upsilon Chapter Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. Citizen of the Year-2001.

Chief Williams’ education includes a Masters Degree in Public Administration and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Administration of Justice, both from Wichita State University. He is also a graduate of the FBI National Academy, the FBI National Executive Institute, and the Senior Executive Program for State and Local Government at Harvard University.

Chief Williams shares his knowledge of law enforcement and public administration by serving as an adjunct professor at Wichita State University. He attributes his success to his spiritual commitment, family and friends, and the support of the community and Police Department members.

Contact Chief Norman Williams at: NWilliams@wichita.gov