A longtime member of the Oxnard Police Department has been selected to serve as Santa Maria’s next top cop.
Christopher Williams, assistant chief at the Oxnard agency for the past three years, has been named Santa Maria’s new police chief after a national search, City Manager David Rowlands announced Monday.
Williams is expected to begin his new job next Monday at the helm of Santa Maria’s largest department, which has 200 positions — 140 sworn peace officers plus 56 civilians — and a budget of $54 million.
He follows former Chief Marc Schneider, who retired in November 2024 after three decades of service, mostly with the Santa Maria agency.
Cmdr. Dan Cohen has served as interim chief since Schneider left.
Oxnard and Santa Maria have dealt with similar gang activity, and some of the allegations that arose during the MS-13-related crimes a few years ago occurred in the Ventura County city, according to testimony during the trials.
The new chief grew up in Oxnard and graduated from Santa Clara High School in Oxnard. He holds a bachelor’s degree in organizational management from the University of LaVerne and a master’s degree in homeland security and emergency management from National University.
During his 20-year career, he has worked numerous assignments, including school resource officer, Special Enforcement Team, graffiti investigator, gang investigator, and sergeant for patrol, homicide and violent crimes.
He received the community service award from El Concilio Del Condado de Ventura in 2015. He also won the Supervisor of the Year Award and was nominated as top officer in 2008.
He graduated from the Sherman Block Supervisory Leadership Institute in 2015 and the FBI National Academy in September 2018.
Williams has participated with Habitat for Humanity, volunteered as a youth basketball and football coach, and helped an animal shelter as a dog walker.
City staff declined to say how many candidates submitted applications for the job opening, which pays between $227,114 and $340,672 plus benefits.
A public swearing-in ceremony for Williams is scheduled for the May 6 meeting of the City Council.