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General News: Chief Williams to Leave Police Dept.

Chief Charles Williams.

August 11, 2009

Cornwall-on-Hudson police chief Charles Williams is leaving the department. Williams says that he informed the village board members on Monday night that he plans to retire from the department where he has been employed for 18 years, eight of those as chief.

Williams, age 48, says he has accepted a new position as deputy commandant of cadets at the New York Military Academy (NYMA). Williams also says that he had been considering the move for several months and was excited by the new challenge. “I never thought my police career would be my whole life,” he said in a phone interview. “It doesn’t define me and there is more to me than that.”

At village board meetings during the past year, chief Williams has questioned publicly some of the decisions made by the village board, particularly those related to the department’s budget. In April, he criticized the board for its decision to rely on part-time police officers rather than try to fill a vacancy for a full-time officer, calling it the “death of a fulltime police department.” The village board has also requested the state to review the department to determine if any efficiencies can be made in its operation.

Williams says today that his decision to leave his position is a personal one that he took because he was pulled to do something different and that he is ready to move on to a new career. He expressed his support for the officers in his departmentl. “They serve the village well and I hope the board’s (future) plan allows them to continue to do what they do best.”

In his new position at NYMA, Williams will work directly with the cadets and will also be the activities director. He noted that since 2003 he has been teaching a course at NYMA in criminal justice that he created for the school. Prior to joining the COH police department, Williams worked as a patrol officer and sergeant in Cornwall and served with the New York City Housing Authority police, a total of 24 years in law enforcement.

Williams says his retirement will become official on September 16th, 30 days after he plans to file his retirement papers.

Comments:

Chief, you will be missed and as I know that you know this is NOT in the hands of those so powerful to do so and as God uses you to go forward in your career He will take care of those left behind. Be well and enjoy....I want an invite to the retirement party..Love Keith and Francine Lipsey

posted by Keith Lipsey on 08/11/09 at 6:06 PM

Tough to lose such a dedicated Chief and genuinely nice guy. These will be hard shoes to fill. I wish Chief Williams all the best in his new career. He always held the Village's safety as his most important item no matter the consequences.

Pat Welch

posted by P W on 08/11/09 at 6:40 PM

Chief Williams is a true professional who will be missed.The peace and quiet that permeates our little community is not an accident. Hard work by our men and women in uniform have kept the criminals at bay.Maybe a little more support would be in order.Fred Appel

posted by Fred Appel on 08/11/09 at 7:32 PM

Chief Williams,
We wish you well in your retirement! You were always approachable and receptive and there was a sense of security knowing an intelligent Chief was at the helm. Hopefully our replacement is of the same character.

The Buescher's

posted by j b on 08/11/09 at 8:42 PM

Chief Williams has served the people well for almost a quarter century. I wish him the best of luck at NYMA. I also wish the Village clarity and wisdom in finding a qualified replacement that can build upon Chief William's fine achievements.

posted by J Klein on 08/12/09 at 7:16 AM

Chief Williams has not only dedicated himself to the position he dedicated himself to the Village and the members of the Cornwall on Hudson Police Dept. As a former officer that worked under Chief Williams, I can attest to the time and effort Charlie put in to ensure that the residents and visitors to Cornwall on Hudson were provided with the best services. Even during fiscal restraints and constant scrutiny by certain members of the Village Board, Chief Williams kept his vision and responsibilites to the Village as his priority. Charlie, I wish you the best of luck in this new chapter of life. Thank you for your support over the years, guidance and friendship when it was needed and the fact that you remained steadfast and dedicated to your position,subordinates, and the residents of the Village.

posted by Sean Kelly on 08/13/09 at 12:07 PM

Thank you for all your years of service to the residents of the Village! We wish you much happiness in your job! The Village is losing a truely good leader (the resident's know this!).Best whishes!

posted by Kerry Merritt on 08/19/09 at 9:40 AM

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