The London Police Services Board announced the retirement of Chief Steve Williams, effective as of May 1, 2023. After 31 years of service, of which 4 years as Chief of the London Police Department, Williams decided to retire.
He has had a very long stellar career
Susan Toth, Chair of the London Police Services Board
During his long career, Williams encountered a variety of sensitive events and especially his years as Chief were not the easiest. “There was the ‘Black-Lives Matter’ movement, the attack on the Afzaal family and the global pandemic,” says Susan Toth, Chair of the London Police Services Board. “But all those challenges only showed how dedicated, thoughtful and compassionate he was.”
Toth also talked about her own work-experiences with Chief Steve Williams. “When I first started at the Board, Williams was the deputy Chief of the London Police Department, so I got to work with him frequently. I’d like to think that during that time we became close and obtained an honest and trustful relationship, something that I’ve come to enjoy and appreciate. It will be really sad to see him go.”
Finding a successor
The board has until May 1 of 2023 to find a successor that will take over after Williams official retirement. “We are meeting this Thursday to look at what our approach will be to find a successor and what our expectations are for the next possible Chief of the London Police Department,” Toth explained. “Last time we hired an executive search company, so that is definitely an option. Certainly, we will be look at internal and external candidates, but all of this will be discussed more at the board-meeting.”
