Florence County, South Carolina – Lake City has chosen Emmanuel Williams to be its next Chief of Police. Right now, Williams is a sergeant at the Bennettsville Police Department. He’ll start his new job on March 4 and will officially take the oath in early April.
This choice came at the end of a long search that attracted over 24 skilled applicants from all over South Carolina and other places too. The search ended with a public event on Wednesday, Feb 21, at the Continuum, where people could meet and ask questions to the last two contenders: Williams and Maj. Patrick Miles.
“Everyone was really qualified, and it was a hard decision for the selection committee to make,” said William A. Hall, city administrator in a statement. “We selected Williams to give the city new breath and a new direction for our future.”
Williams, who is 30 years old and comes from Cheraw, also graduated from Coker University. He’s eager to unite the community and create a positive environment in the city. He’s planning to make Lake City his permanent home.
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“I’m excited to see what 2024 is going to bring for me, my family, and the citizens of Lake City,” said Williams. “This is my passion, and I feel confident I can step into this role and succeed for the city.”
Williams has spent 14 years in the Army National Guard, where he picked up important values like honesty and putting others first.
“Those lessons have become the foundation of who I am today,” said Williams. “My plan is to build on that foundation with the department and community.”
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“We welcome him with open arms and anticipate his selection will bring stability to and bolster the leadership of our wonderful police department,” said Mayor Yamekia Robinson. “We hope our community fully embraces him as our new police chief.”
