Wilmington Police Chief Donny Williams announces retirement
WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — After a career spanning more than three decades, Wilmington Police Chief Donny Williams has announced his retirement.
In a letter to City Council, Williams said his planned retirement fulfills a five-year commitment he made when hired into the role.
“Under Donny’s leadership, violent crime in Wilmington has neared a multi-year low and we’ve made tremendous strides in strengthening the relationship between our police and the community. His commitment to innovative approaches has produced a highly trained and well-equipped police force, which has delivered on City Council’s priorities for public safety. I am grateful for Donny’s dedication to the law enforcement profession and his core belief that everyone who calls Wilmington home deserves to live in a safe community with a trusted and effective police force that treats all persons with fairness and respect,” said Mayor Bill Saffo.
Williams, a Wilmington native, has served the department since 1989, beginning as a summer youth intern and later becoming a police cadet before being sworn in as an officer in 1992. He was appointed the city’s first Black police chief in June of 2020.
“Being appointed Chief of Police remains one of my greatest honors, but at my core, I have always been a Wilmington police officer,” said Williams. “I want to extend my gratitude to Mayor Saffo, City Manager Caudle, and current and former members of the City Council for their unwavering support. Your leadership has been instrumental in enabling the progress we’ve made. To the residents of Wilmington, thank you for your trust and partnership. Together, we have accomplished great strides in public safety and community trust. This city is not just where I served but where I grew up and became a man. To the men and women of the Wilmington Police Department, I am deeply grateful for your courage, compassion, and unwavering commitment. You are the heart and soul of this organization and it has been my privilege to lead you.”
During his career, Williams implemented numerous community-oriented initiatives, such as the Cop Camp program, which he started in 1995 to build positive relationships between law enforcement and rising fifth graders. He has also been a two-time recipient of the Officer of the Year award, highlighting his commitment to service.
Williams’ tenure as chief was marked by bold decisions, including the termination of three officers on his first day in the role for making racist remarks. He also emphasized transparency, implicit bias training, and fostering trust between the department and the community.
However, his time as chief was not without challenges. Allegations of a hostile work environment and retaliation arose from a retired captain, prompting a third-party investigation. Williams addressed the accusations, sharing audio recordings that revealed racist remarks directed at him by former employees. He affirmed his commitment to eradicating racism within the department and maintaining the integrity of the agency.
Community members and leaders, including the NAACP, have expressed strong support for Williams, praising his leadership and the positive impact he has made on Wilmington.
The Chief of Police is hired directly by City Council and reports to the City Manager. Later this month, Council will determine a search process for the position.
Mayor Saffo remarked, “As City Council begins the search for our next Chief of Police, we will strive to find an experienced and capable leader for this vital role. Our goal in Wilmington is nothing less than to have the best-trained and most capable police force in the state. We will work hard to recruit someone who brings innovative approaches to combatting violent crime, maintains high standards of professionalism, and builds strong bonds of trust in our police force across the entire community.”
Chief Williams’ last day will be no later than June 30.
Read Chief Williams’ letter here: DW Letter 1.10.25
