Chief Paul F. Williams

Paul F. Williams was sworn in as the Chief of Police for Springfield, Missouri on July 1, 2010.  He came to Springfield after serving with the Tulsa Police Department, retiring at the rank of Major after 29 years of service. 

In Springfield, Chief Williams immediately instituted a department wide philosophy of community based policing.  Throughout his career he has embraced innovative concepts to improve service to citizens, as well as those that improve internal operations. He is adept at establishing community partnerships, and is known as a facilitator and consensus builder, enjoying the interaction between the police and citizens that helps forge a coactive environment to enhance public safety. He encourages open and honest communication to build and maintain trust within the police department, and has consistently worked with other agencies and elected officials to accomplish common goals.

Chief Williams holds a Master’s degree in Criminal Justice Administration from Northeastern (OK) State University and a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from Northern Michigan University. He graduated from the Senior Management Institute for Police-Class 35 and is a graduate of the 207th Session of the FBI National Academy. He instructs criminal justice courses at Missouri State University, is certified as an instructor for the IACP Leadership in Police Organizations program, and is a Missouri POST generalist instructor.

Chief Williams serves on the following boards and commissions: United Way of the Ozarks, Community Partnership of the Ozarks, Springfield-Greene County 911, IACP Mid-Sized Agencies, Missouri Police Chiefs Association, Trunked Radio System, Missouri Homeland Security Program-Law Enforcement Terrorist Prevention Activities, and the SW Missouri Police Chiefs Association.  He also serves as a volunteer on numerous advisory boards and councils, and enjoys coaching youth sports. He and his family are active members of Redeemer Lutheran Church-Springfield. Chief Williams and his wife, Regina, have three children and one granddaughter.