Desmond Williams Makes History as Whiteville’s First Black Police Chief
By: William D. Young
Desmond Williams is making history in Whiteville, Tennessee, becoming the first Black Chief of Police in the town’s history.
For Williams, however, the significance of the appointment extends far beyond the historical milestone. He views his new position as an opportunity to serve the entire community while building a stronger, more professional, and more community-centered police department.
“I consider myself a man of faith, family, service, and community,” Williams said.
Williams brings a diverse background of ministry and law enforcement experience to the position. He currently serves as Assistant Pastor of Union Hill Missionary Baptist Church in Whiteville and has been preaching for six years. His connection to the church began much earlier through music ministry, where he spent approximately 30 years serving, beginning as a drummer before later playing bass guitar.
His law enforcement career began with the Moscow Police Department and has included assignments as a patrol officer, investigator, lieutenant and captain with the Grand Junction Police Department before returning to Whiteville and eventually becoming chief.
Williams also attended Lane College and graduated from Walters State Community College with an associate degree in criminal justice. His professional development has included Mid-Level Management training, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation Academy, Field Training Officer training and other specialized law enforcement instruction.
Throughout his career, Williams said his motivation has remained consistent: helping people.
“Sometimes helping means enforcing the law,” he said. “Sometimes helping means giving somebody another chance. Sometimes helping means talking to a young person before they make a life-changing decision.”
That philosophy is also reflected in Williams’ approach to community policing.
He believes police officers should be known by their communities before residents encounter them during a crisis. Williams wants officers to become more visible in schools, community events and other settings where they can build relationships with residents.
“I don’t want the first time a child meets one of our officers to be when something bad has happened,” Williams said. “I want our community to know the people behind the badge.”
Faith and Law Enforcement
Williams’ experience in ministry has also shaped his philosophy of policing. He said his work as a minister has taught him to see the person behind the problem.
“Everybody has a story,” he said, emphasizing that accountability and compassion do not have to be opposites.
For Williams, authority is not simply about having power. It is about stewardship and responsibility.
“I’ve learned that you can have compassion without compromising accountability,” he said.
He also credits his wife and family for making sacrifices throughout his career in both ministry and law enforcement.
Building a Stronger Police Department
As he begins his tenure as chief, Williams said he does not intend to make changes simply for the sake of making changes. Instead, he plans to listen, evaluate, strengthen and build.
Among his priorities are professionalism, accountability, officer development, training, morale, recruitment and retention, community relationships, equipment, technology, policy review and public safety.
Williams said he wants to do more than recruit officers. He wants to develop them into professionals and future leaders.
“I don’t simply want to hire officers—I want to develop officers,” he said.
He also wants residents to see the Whiteville Police Department as visible, approachable, professional, accountable and community-minded.
At the end of his first year, Williams said he hopes the department will be stronger, officers will be better trained and equipped, expectations will be clearer, and relationships between law enforcement and the community will be stronger.
A Historic First With a Community-Wide Responsibility
While Williams recognizes the historical importance of becoming Whiteville’s first Black police chief, he said the significance of being the first must ultimately be measured by what comes next.
“Being first means very little if you don’t leave the door open for somebody else to come through,” Williams said.
He hopes his position will inspire young people, particularly young Black boys, to understand that their current circumstances do not have to determine their future.
Williams said he wants young people to see possibilities beyond what they may currently imagine for themselves.
At the same time, he emphasized that his responsibility is to serve everyone in Whiteville.
“Every neighborhood. Every family. Every business. Every church. Every race. Every background. Every citizen,” he said.
When residents call the Whiteville Police Department, Williams said they should expect to be treated with fairness, professionalism, dignity and respect.
Looking Ahead
For Williams, his journey to the chief’s office represents years of experiences, challenges, setbacks and opportunities that helped prepare him for the moment.
“There were setbacks, disappointments, lessons, mistakes, transitions, and seasons when I couldn’t see exactly where the road was taking me,” he said. “But looking back now, I understand that sometimes God isn’t denying you—He’s developing you.”
Now, Williams hopes his legacy will be about more than making history.
He wants residents to remember that he served them, treated people fairly, developed his officers, loved his community, stood on his faith and left the Whiteville Police Department better than he found it.
“I don’t simply want to wear the title of Chief,” Williams said. “I want to serve like a Chief. I want to lead like a Chief. I want to listen like a Chief. I want to be accountable like a Chief.”
For Williams, the badge represents more than authority.
“This position isn’t just an honor—it’s a responsibility.”
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