WPD deputy chief back on duty after investigation, retires next week

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Wilmington Police Department Deputy Chief Marshall Williamson is back on duty after the department finished its internal investigation of him, but he won’t be back at work for long.

According to a news release, Williamson, a 32-year veteran with WPD, returned to full duty today. He is scheduled to retire from the City of Wilmington in one week.

WPD says its internal affairs investigation involving Williamson, 56, closed a week after the state declined to file criminal charges against him. While state law prohibits the release of personnel investigation information, Police Chief Ralph Evangelous said the complaint has been addressed appropriately and action has been taken, according to the news release.

“Anytime you have to call for investigations into the actions of your officers – it’s difficult,” Evangelous said in a statement. “This is a stressful time for the officer, their family, our agency and the community at-large. However, the process is necessary in order to maintain trust and integrity.”

Last month, Evangelous and District Attorney asked the SBI and the NC Conference of District Attorneys to work together to investigate allegations involving Williamson and ammunition belonging to the department. Williamson was put on leave. The SBI never investigated, and after reviewing information from the WPD internal probe and the department’s Internal Affairs team assigned to the investigation, a prosecutor with the Conference of DA’s determined the evidence in that internal investigation did not warrant criminal charges.

According to records, Williamson’s current salary is $115,102.