With his family, friends, colleagues and strangers filling the audience, the new chief of the Santa Maria Police Department took the oath of office Tuesday night before sharing his intent to focus on serving the community.

Chief Christopher Williams, most recently assistant chief at the Oxnard Police Department, was chosen after a wide search and candidates undergoing interviews by professional panels made up of local residents and staff members. 

“Chief Williams came out on top in the panels,” City Manager David Rowlands said. “We’re looking forward to having him here joining our team.”

Continuing a career-long tradition, Williams had his father, former California Highway Patrol officer Richard Williams, pin on the new badge. 

“I’m very honored to have my dad come up and pin my badge. Back when I got hired in 1997, he pinned my first badge when I became a police officer, and he’s pinned my badge every rank that I’ve been promoted to. It’s really a special moment for me to have him,” the new chief said.

Before the badge-pinning ceremony, Mayor Alice Patino administered the oath of office to Williams. 

“Ladies and gentlemen, I’m overwhelmed with emotion,” Williams said.

His wife, children, parents and former pastor were among those in the audience along with current Santa Maria police officers, as well as Williams’ colleagues and other supporters from Northern California along with Ventura and Orange counties.

“This isn’t just a celebration for me, but for everyone here because you all helped me be the person that I am today,” Williams said. 

He began his law enforcement career as an officer with the Watsonville Police Department in 1997. He transferred to the Ventura Police Department in 2000, where he worked until joining the Oxnard force in November 2004.

He filled multiple assignments while working in Oxnard, including as a gang investigator/gang injunction manager, Violent Crimes Unit sergeant, special operations commander, watch commander/District 2 coordinator, and assistant chief.

“To the Santa Maria Police employees, I want you to know that I’m committed to the success of our organization and working with each of you to find the best way to serve our community,” Williams said. 

Williams had been active in his prior community, including for Habitat for Humanity, as a dog walker for shelters and as a youth coach. 

He said he intends to be equally engaged in the Santa Maria community.

“I’m here to hear your concerns on how we can better improve our community and form lasting partnerships,” he added.

Williams follows former Chief Marc Schneider, who retired in November after spending most of his career at the Santa Maria department. 

In the gap between Schneider’s departure and Williams’ arrival, Cmdr. Dan Cohen filled in as interim chief, earning recognition for his service.

“He’s done a remarkable job to step up and do the interim chief process for us,” Rowlands said of Cohen.