Message from Chief of Police

Chief Debra A. Williams has over 39 years of law enforcement experience. She began her career with the City of Atlanta Police Department in 1983, until retiring in 2011, as a major in rank. After retiring with the City of Atlanta Police Department, she served as a Senior Police Advisor and Deputy Team Leader responsible for providing law enforcement instructions, mentoring, and the delivery of training programs with the Narcotics Affairs Section in Mexico. In 2014, she joined the Clayton County Public Schools Police Department as the major over day-to-day operations. 

In August 2018, “she was called” as the Chief of Police for Clark Atlanta University Department of Public Safety. She place emphasis on “called” because she feels that it is a calling for her to serve in this capacity.  During her tenure at Clark Atlanta University, she has helped bridged the gap with the students, faculty, staff, alums and the community by implementing several programs initiatives and events. During her short tenure, she has received the Leadership Award from the School of Education in 2018 and an Honorary Service Award by the Student Life Awards in 2019.  The National Society of Leadership and Success recognized her for Excellence in Service to Students Award and the Atlanta University Center Consortium for her Leadership of the Public Safety and Campus Security Council. She was also recognized as one of the nominees for Georgia’s Chief of the Year at the 2020 Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police Conference. 

She has a Master of Science, Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice and an Associate Degree in Accounting.  She is a graduate of Georgia Association Chief of Police Executive Training and the Police Executive Research Forum’s (PERF) Senior Management Institute of Policing (SMIP) in Boston, Massachusetts. She participated in the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), where she visited Israel and received training on Intervention Strategies for Domestic and Gender-Based Violence in San Salvador. Furthermore, she has received several commendations throughout her career, such as 2009 Manager of the Year for APD, Female Officer of the Year for the State of Georgia and finalist for Female Officer of the Year with the International Association of Women Police. Additionally, she is a Georgia State POST Certified Senior Instructor, enjoys leading exercise classes and playing golf.

In closing, she is married to retired City of Atlanta Police Major Khirus E. Williams. More importantly, she is a servant member of The Enon Church in College Park. Proudly, Chief Williams is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated. Lastly, she is a member of National Organizations of Black Law Enforcement (NOBLE), the International Association of Chiefs of Police, and the Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police, Historically Black Colleges & Universities Law Enforcement Executives & Administrators and the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Executives.