Wilmington Police Chief Announces Planned Retirement

Published on January 10, 2025

After nearly 35 years with the Wilmington Police Department and five years at its helm, Chief Donny Williams announced his intention to retire no later than June 30, 2025. In a letter to City Council, Williams said his planned retirement fulfills a five-year commitment he made when hired into the role. (A copy of this letter is included with this release.)

“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.

Born and raised in Wilmington, Williams began working part-time at the police department while a student at Laney High School through a summer program for at-risk youth. Shortly after graduating from high school, he was hired as a cadet and commissioned as a sworn officer on his 21st birthday. He steadily rose through the ranks and was hired by City Council as Chief of Police in 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.

During his time as Chief and previous service on the department’s command staff, Williams led a number of initiatives to modernize the force and its capabilities, improve officer training, and strengthen the relationship between the police department and the community. Williams was chiefly responsible for overseeing design and construction of the Haynes Lacewell Police and Fire Training Facility, and oversaw the implementation of a regular officer training regime in use of force, fair and impartial policing (unconscious bias), and active bystandership. The department became one of the very first law enforcement agencies in the state to receive North Carolina Department of Justice accreditation.

Williams also embraced a multi-agency approach to combatting violent crime, establishing the Cape Fear Regional Special Teams with Wilmington as its lead agency, forging a Gun Crimes Task Unit, and bringing local agencies together in formal partnership with the FBI’s Violent Gang Safe Streets Task Force.

City Manager Tony Caudle remarked, “I’ve long admired and respected Donny’s belief in using innovative technologies and approaches to get the job done better.” Williams implemented two civilian units for crash investigation and virtual response, enabling sworn officers to focus more time on efforts to reduce crime. He also worked to procure millions of dollars in grant-funded equipment, improving law enforcement capabilities and resiliency.

“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,” said Williams.

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.”

Following this announcement is the full text of Chief Williams’s letter to City Council, and statements from City Manager Tony Caudle and Mayor Bill Saffo. 

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Statement from City Manager Tony Caudle:

“As City Manager, I’ve long admired and respected Donny’s belief in using innovative technologies and approaches to get the job done better. He has consistently challenged the status quo and tackled problems both large and small with a sense of personal responsibility. In addition to nearly 35 years on the police force and rising in the ranks to the office of Chief, Donny has also served for many years as a volunteer firefighter and fire chief. Both in his day job and at home, Donny Williams has demonstrated total commitment to public safety, and I wish him the very best in a hard-earned and well-deserved retirement.”

Statement from Mayor Bill Saffo:

“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. For more than three decades, Donny has worn the uniform in service to this community. I am thankful for his 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.

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.”