The City of Mobile's police department now has a new leader. Mobile Mayor Sam Jones announced Thursday morning at Government Plaza the appointment of Deputy Chief Michael "Tyrone" Williams as police chief of the state's second largest city.
"The safety of all citizens is paramount to me and the City Council," Jones said. "All the persons who applied for police chief are qualified for this job. However, only one can be selected.
The Selection Process:
The initial police chief citizen-based screening committee was made up of local business owner, David Cooper Sr., retired police chief Tyree Richburg, retired Mobile County Sheriff Tom Purvis, retired State Trooper Captain Oscar Kyles, local attorney, Carolyn McCarthy, retired educator Richard Davis, insurance executive Makeda Nichols, local pastor, Dr. Gorman Houston and city Chief Staff Attorney Flo Kessler.
The applicant's list was narrowed down to 3: Deputy Chiefs James H. Barber, Joseph D. Kennedy and Michael T. Williams. Jones interviewed each applicant twice and reviewed their resumes prior to selection.
"I want to thank each member of the citizen committee for their time and thorough assessment in narrowing the police chief list down, the mayor said. "Today, I am proud to announce that Deputy Chief Williams has demonstrated to me a commitment to the department and this city. He has risen through the ranks of the department and served well under several police chiefs. He knows the issues facing Mobile, and is well capable of devising solutions to combat them."
New Chief's Background
Williams has served as a police officer, Sergeant, Lieutenant, Captain, Major and was promoted to the deputy chief's position in 2008.
The 49-year-old joined the City of Mobile Police Department at 28 and rose through the ranks, heading Field Operations and Administrative Services Bureau. He has served as the Internal Affairs Commander, Special Operations Section, Tactical Response Unit, Investigative Operations Division, Criminal Investigation Section and Homicide Unit Investigator.
Williams is a 21-year veteran of the department and a 1988 graduate of the Mobile Police Academy. He received an Associate Degree from Bishop State Community College and bachelor's in Criminal Justice from Faulkner University. He is a certified instructor by Alabama Peace Officers Standards and Training Commission and a 2007 graduate of the FBI National Academy.
"This is a wonderful opportunity for me, and I am very proud to be a member of the Mobile Police Department," said Williams. "The confidence the mayor and the city have placed in me, and all the men and women of this great Police Department are tantamount. I live here, as well as many of you. It is our goal to work to the best of our ability to insure that our city is safe, and each of us becomes stakeholders in finding solutions to all our challenges." Williams assumes the top cop job following the retirement of Police Chief Phillip Garrett, who retired last year. His new job will become effective March 2.
Williams said, "I think it's important to understand that not one person is more important than the organization," he said. "I'd like to applaud interim Chief Lester Hargrove for the job he has done for this city and department. He is an outstanding leader, and I look forward to his continued service in this organization. He along with the entire force stand ready to do our very best to make sure Mobile continues as one of the state's and nation's stellar metropolitan cities."
MOBILE POLICE DEPARTMENT