Meet the Oxnard Police Department’s next Assistant Police Chief, Christopher Williams! Chris, who is currently Oxnard P.D.’s Administrative Services Bureau Commander and Acting Assistant Chief will be officially promoted to the Assistant Chief of our Investigative & Administrative Services Bureaus this Saturday, April 30th.
Chris’s father, Richard Williams, was in the United States Army, stationed in Reno, Nevada when Chris was born. A year later, Richard completed his military career and moved the family back home - to Oxnard. Chris attended St. Anthony's School (Elementary and Junior High) and Santa Clara High School (Class of 1994). Continuing his education he went on to earn his B.S. in Organizational Management from the University of LaVerne and a M.B.A in Homeland Security and Emergency Management from National University. He also attended the FBI National Academy (class #273).
Chris always kept busy with a strong work ethic. Starting at age 15, he held jobs at St. Anthony's Rectory, Blockbuster Video, Petco, Swim Instructor and Lifeguard (Hueneme High School), Bellman (Embassy Suites), and as Security Guard (Esplanade Mall). Chris had law enforcement in his blood from the beginning. After returning to Oxnard, his father Richard had become an officer with the California Highway Patrol, and his uncle was an officer with the Boston Police Department. One of Chris’s early mentors, retired Port Hueneme Police Sergeant Jerry Beck, took him on a ride-along when he was 16 years old, and he was hooked.
Chris became an officer with the Watsonville Police Department in 1997. He transferred to Ventura P.D. in 2000, where he worked until finally returning home to the Oxnard Police Department in November of 2004. In his 18 years with Oxnard P.D., Chris has served in many assignments, including: Graffiti Investigator, Assistant Reserve Coordinator, Gang Investigator/Gang Injunction Manager, VCU Sergeant, Major Crimes Sergeant, Special Operations Commander, and Watch Commander/District 2 Coordinator.
Reflecting on his career so far, Chris says, “My favorite specific assignment has been working in the Violent Crimes Unit because I felt that I had the greatest impact on making my community better. Growing up I saw what the effects of gangs and gang violence had on our community and I vowed to make a difference. But, I've been truly blessed having gotten this far in my career and I hope to continue to find ways to better our Department and better our Community. I love building relationships with the community and meeting new people. Very few jobs besides this one allows you to have such a positive impact on a large number of people.”
Outside of work, Chris and his wife Robyn have a son, Bryson (22), and two daughters: Justice (17) and Miranda (15). They still live here in Oxnard and are very involved in our community. On days off, you will find the Williams family serving food for the less fortunate, helping out at church, doing a neighborhood clean up, or some other activity to give back to the community (Chris also sits on the Board of Directors for Habitat for Humanity).