Portage Mayor-Elect Jim Snyder announced Troy Williams would take the reigns as the new Portage Police Chief on Tuesday, with proud family members, friends and fellow police officers attending in recognition and support.
Corporal Williams was serving as the Portage High School Resource Officer when he applied for the position of Police Chief. Portage High School Senior Marine Instructor Major Johnson, has worked with Williams at the high school. Johnson said that the experience Williams gained working with students has allowed Corporal Williams to have “tremendous perspective with our youth.”
Williams commented on the work he plans to continue with the schools to provide a safe environment. Williams said, “Being a School Resource Officer has given me the opportunity to understand the issues facing our students. We will work to curb teenage drug use, educate them to use social media responsibly, and identify and respond to incidents of bullying.”
Major Johnson gave the opening statements, commenting that Corporal Williams is “a guy that wants not to just do a good job, but an outstanding job!” Johnson introduced Mayor-Elect Jim Snyder for the official announcement.
Click here to read our feature on Troy Williams as "A Portage Life in the Spotlight"!
Mayor-Elect Snyder spoke with the utmost confidence he has in Corporal Williams as Portage Police Chief. Snyder commented briefly on the qualifications and past achievements Williams has achieved saying, “Williams not only has a locker full of accolades and awards for his police work, but he has an equal number of community service awards.”
Snyder explained that this was not an easy decision. “All of the applicants are good men and all are qualified and ready to lead. There is something special in the Portage Police Department when you have so many qualified applicants.”
Part of the decision making process includes identifying the necessary character traits that a good Police Chief would need. Snyder said, “The next chief needs to be a person with integrity, a person with compassion; a person who understands what has made Portage great, and would join us as we work to make Portage even better.” Corporal Troy Williams was then announced as “just that kind of leader” for the City Of Portage.
As a former Marine serving in Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm, Troy demonstrated that he had the loyalty and honor in what was needed to serve his country. Williams received two Navy achievement medals, a good conduct medal, and 4 letters of commendation. Williams has also served on the police force in various capacities, from the Porter County Drug Task Force to the SWAT team that he still serves on.
Williams takes the safety of our youth in the school system very seriously in his role as Portage School Resource Officer. Recognition of Williams’ abilities as an outstanding officer have been recognized as well. He has twice been named Police Officer of the Year in Portage and was named Police Officer of the Year for the state of Indiana in 2007.
Directing the enthusiastic audience, Williams reminded everyone that the Portage Police Department is comprised of dedicated men and women who want to make a difference. He stated, “It is not the Police Chief that is on the streets patrolling everyday; it is the men and women you see before you who are the backbone of the police department. They put their lives on the line everyday for us, and I am grateful to serve them.”
Other goals Williams has set forth for the Portage Police Department to act on and achieve consist of:
- Identify and arrest anyone involved in gang activity or drug trafficking
- Ensure a safe environment for our families
- Aggressively enforce traffic laws
- Establish community neighborhood watches
- Work with our senior citizens to identify and address their concerns
- Develop Community Outreaches with the YMCA, Boys & Girls Club, churches, and all Portage youth sports organizations.
Williams concluded by saying, “We will strive to serve our community with efficiency and excellence. We are here to protect and serve you!”
The Portage Police Department fully backs this announcement with fellow officer Sergeant Ross Haynes stating that he is ecstatic about Police Chief Troy Williams. Haynes said, “I concur with the Mayor-Elect that he will excel in all his endeavors.”
Fraternal Order of Police #145 President Emerito Beltran is excited also about Williams being named Police Chief. He explained, “I am excited because he’s demonstrated his leadership from the time when he was my training officer to now as I sere with him in SWAT.”