HOLLY HILL, Fla. – Holly Hill city officials announced they have hired a new police chief, days after a monthslong investigation conducted by the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office into the department concluded.
Joseph A. Forte, Holly Hill’s city manager said on Tuesday that Byron K. Williams has “accepted the position of Police Chief for Holly Hill.”
Recommended Videos
“Chief Williams emerged as the standout candidate, receiving unanimous approval from the interview panel. After further discussions and due diligence, I am delighted to confirm that he has accepted the position,” Forte said.
[EXCLUSIVE: Become a News 6 Insider (it’s FREE) | PINIT! Share your photos]
Williams won’t have to travel far as he has been serving as a captain for the Criminal Investigation Division at the Daytona Beach Police Department since 2022. According to the resume Williams submitted for the position, he has more than 24 years of law enforcement experience, all with the DBPD.
Holly Hill police needed a new leader after their former chief Jeffrey Miller and a captain resigned amid allegations of ‘inappropriate incidents.’ Two sergeants are still on administrative leave as part of the same investigation, city officials said.
The city handed the investigation over to the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office back in March so it would be impartial. The sheriff’s office was also running the law enforcement in Holly Hill during the investigation, which ended last week.
While the findings aren’t public record yet, Volusia Sheriff Mike Chitwood told News 6 what he saw in it was “pretty shocking.”
“If true, these things are pretty shocking, that leadership of a police organization would engage in this type of behavior,” Chitwood said.
Williams is set to start his role as chief on Monday, July 15, Forte told News 6.
He will still have to undergo an extensive background investigation which will be overseen by the chief of the Daytona Beach Shores Public Safety Department.
Forte said a decision about the two suspended sergeants’ future should be made this week.
Get today’s headlines in minutes with Your Florida Daily: