PO-PO, Maywood's new chief of police [M]

Village of Maywood press release:

Maywood Appoints New Police Chief
First African American Woman to Command the Police Force in This Western Suburb

Maywood, Illinois - June 14, 2006 - Mayor Henderson Yarbrough, Sr., of Maywood, Illinois, announced the appointment of Ms. Elvia P. Williams as the Village's new Police Chief. The Maywood Village Board approved a two-year contract with Williams at its June 14, 2006, meeting. She will take command on July 17, 2006.

Williams has served in law enforcement for over 18 years, moving up through the ranks from patrol officer to Investigations Captain. She currently holds the latter position with the Eugene, Oregon, Police Department. She also served as Patrol Captain and Operations Support Captain in Eugene. Williams began her career as a police officer with the City of Newport News, Virginia.

Williams has a Master's degree in counseling from Hampton University and a Bachelor's degree in Applied Psychology from Loyola University-Chicago. She is working toward her doctorate in Urban Studies. In addition to working in law enforcement, she teaches courses in Criminal Justice at the Academy and Community College levels. A sample of her relevant experience includes supervising and managing civilian and sworn employees, leading her department's Racial Profiling Taskforce, teaching Ethics in Law Enforcement for her department, and working with diverse communities to form positive relationships between the police department and the people it serves.

"I am very excited about Ms. Williams coming to Maywood," said Mayor Yarbrough, "and proud of the process we used to select her. It is a good example of how this administration is living up to its promise to conduct business in a fair and honest manner. The result of our efforts is a Police Chief who will bring Maywoodians and our police force together to make this a better community for everyone."

As Maywood Village Manager, Robert L. Nelis, Sr., had the responsibility of choosing William from a field of candidates. "I picked her because I think she has the best combination of training, experience, expertise and personality for Maywood," Nelis said. "My mandate from the Village Board is to professionalize the operations of the Village so that it works better for everyone. Elvia Williams is a real professional. She brings fresh approaches that will contribute not just to a better Police Department, but also to a better Village."

The Village of Maywood was incorporated as a municipality on October 22, 1881 and is Celebrating its 125th anniversary, this Western suburb is located four miles west of Chicago, Illinois. Maywood has a population of 27,000; 70% African American, 15 % Latino, and 15% white. Congress designated Maywood the Village of Eternal Light to honor the soldiers from Maywood who died on the Bataan death march. Maywood's officials boast about its diversity, pointing out that the Village has a long history of welcoming everyone when other suburbs actively turned them away. Come Grow with us. Visit Maywood, Illinois on the internet: www.maywood-il.org.

CONTACT: Robert L Nelis, Sr., Village Manager

OFFICE: 708-450-6301

CONTACT: Elvia Williams, New Police Chief

CELL PHONE: 541-520-2512 (Pacific Standard Time)

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