Ansonia Police Chief Wayne Williams and Ansonia Mayor David Cassetti.
ANSONIA – Police Chief Wayne Williams, a 32-year veteran of the Ansonia Police Department, was officially sworn into office Wednesday night (March 23) before a large crowd of family, friends, fellow officers and city officials.
More than 90 people gathered in the auditorium of Ansonia High School to watch Mayor David Cassetti administer the oath of office to Williams, 53, who is the city’s 14th police chief.
Williams’ two sons, Jared and Tyler, along with his brother, John, a detective with the Naugatuck Police Department, gathered on the stage to share in Williams’ moment. An empty chair, adorned with a bouquet of flowers, sat next to Williams’ brother to represent the family matriarch, Williams’ mother, who passed away last year from COVID-19.
Cassetti lauded Williams for his service and dedication to the department, first coming onboard as a patrol officer in 1990 at age 21 to ultimately coming full circle as the department’s top brass.
“Wayne Williams possesses all of the qualities I look for in a police chief,” Cassetti said. “He has been a consistent and enduring presence in the Ansonia Police Department and his dedication, commitment, level of preparedness and collaboration with my office are key factors in making a successful career. He has certainly earned this promotion, and I wholeheartedly stand with him tonight to congratulate him. I look forward to a strong partnership helping to keep Ansonia and its residents safe. I have every confidence we will be in good hands under his leadership.”
Williams, during his speech, paid homage to his “extended family,” his fellow men and women in blue, thanking them for their service and dedication to a noble profession.
“I cannot think of a better group of people to work with on a daily basis, and I am honored and humbled to be chosen to lead you,” Williams said. “You consistently have risen to the challenges put before you and I know that recently those challenges have come in many forms, and have come quickly. Whether it’s the ongoing pandemic, the anti-police movements that were taking place across the nation, the police accountability act, or just calls for service that you answer daily, you have risen to those challenges. You’re part of the noblest profession and you should be proud of yourselves in everything you do to keep this community safe.”
Williams said it can seem police officers’ actions often go unnoticed but that’s simply not true.
“You are often the light in a community member’s darkest day,” he said. “Whether it’s a domestic violence victim, an injured child, a medical emergency or a traffic accident, they see your lights and they hear your sirens and they know you’re coming to help. That feeling of knowing you’re coming is what gives them hope on that dark day. Always remember you are that hope, you are that light, you are their hero. I cannot be more proud of you, you are my hero.”
Williams, who could’ve retired seven years ago, said he stuck around simply because he loves what he does. He quipped to his kids that retirement to sunny Florida would have to wait a while longer.
The city’s Board of Police Commissioners named Williams to the chief’s job Feb. 23. He replaced former Chief Andrew Cota. Williams will earn an annual salary of $143,000.
Williams served as interim chief since last August when Cota left.
Police work has always been Williams’ first choice for a career. At age 14, he joined the police explorers in Middletown, and at age 18 graduated to the auxiliary police department. He was hired in Ansonia at age 21.
Click here for a previously published Q&A with the new chief.
Ansonia Police Chief Wayne Williams.
