FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE At its annual meeting in Jefferson City Dec. 10, the Missouri Police Chiefs Association (MPCA) presented Springfield Police Chief Paul Williams with the 2015 Missouri Police Chiefs Donald “Red” Loehr Chief of the Year Award. MPCA presents the award each year to recognize a Missouri police chief who is committed to excellence and enhancing the professionalism of law enforcement, not only in the community he or she serves, but across the state of Missouri. “This year’s recipient exemplifies the purpose of this award and the standards and mission of the Missouri Police Chiefs Association. We are proud to present Chief Paul Williams the 2015 Chief of the Year Award,” said MPCA President Drew Juden. Williams joined the Springfield Police Department in 2010, after retiring from the Tulsa Police Department after 29 years of service with the rank of major. In Springfield, 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. Williams 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. Williams holds a master’s degree in criminal justice administration from Northeastern Oklahoma University and a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Northern Michigan University. He graduated from the Police Executive Research Forum’s Senior Management Institute of Police in 2009 and the 207th FBI National Academy. Williams instructs criminal justice courses at Missouri State University and the University of Phoenix, is certified as an instructor for the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) Leadership in Police Organizations program, and is a state certified law enforcement instructor. At the state level, Williams serves as a governor’s appointee to the board of the Missouri Peace Officers Standards and Training program and the Missouri Crime Laboratory Review Commission, and as vice president for MPCA. Williams serves on the Springfield-Greene County 911 board, Combined Ozarks Multi-Jurisdictional Enforcement Team, Southwest Chief of Police Association and has served on the board of directors for United Way of the Ozarks, Community Partnership of the Ozarks, Ozarks Fighting Back, and Code 3 Sertoma, as well as volunteering for numerous advisory boards and councils and coaching youth sports. Williams and his family are active members of Redeemer Lutheran Church. He and his wife, Regina, have three children and one granddaughter. “Congratulations, Chief Williams! We are proud to have you on our team and leading public safety efforts in our community,” said City Manager Greg Burris. # # # For more information, contact: Cora Scott, Director of Public Information & Civic Engagement, 417-864-1009 (office) | 417-380-3352 (cell), [email protected]Download Chief Williams portrait.