by Mike Sharkey
Staff Writer
The next logical step for Mike Williams must surely be sheriff.
While that may never happen, the newest chief with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office has basically reached the pinnacle of the organization. Pending City Council confirmation, Williams is the new chief of Homeland Security and the Narcotics/Vice Division. The Jacksonville native is a graduate of Bishop Kenny High School, attended the Air Force Academy and graduated from Liberty University before joining JSO in 1991.
“My dad retired from the sheriff’s office in 1995 and I watched his career. I was always interested in law enforcement,” said Williams, who started as a patrolman and has been promoted four times in 19 years. “I was teetering between an active duty military career and staying here and going to the academy.”
Williams was in the Air Force for two years and remained on active guard status until 1996. He began as a patrolman Downtown and says he never envisioned a progressive climb up JSO’s ladder.
“I kind of let things evolve. I never had big plans,” said Williams.
The turning point may have been a stint with the JSO SWAT team. Williams realized that many of the team leaders and sergeants were near retirement. Knowing spots were going to open up, Williams used that as motivation for promotions.
Sheriff John Rutherford said making sure the right people are in the right place is paramount to the success of law enforcement. He said Williams fits that bill.
“I always tell people that I am the most blessed sheriff. You see, I don’t get to pick the issues ... they pick me,” said Rutherford. “But I do get to pick the leadership team that I will work with, as we deal with these many important issues. And JSO has a great management team. Mike Williams is a qualified, proven leader and I am proud to appoint him to head up our Homeland Security and Narcotics/Vice division as its chief.”
In his new role, Williams oversees two divisions and about 150 officers. He also has an assistant chief in each division who helps manage its day-to-day operations.
Homeland Security, he explained, includes SWAT, the bomb squad, hostage negotiations, tactical support, gangs, the K-9 unit, the mounted unit and the criminal apprehension unit.
“It requires a lot of training,” he said, adding the Homeland Security division also includes the seaport and aviation unit. “There is a lot of interaction with the feds to help with the protection of the infrastructure in Jacksonville.”
The Narcotics/Vice division focuses primarily on battling drug distribution in Jacksonville. Williams said while it’s important to apprehend the crack user on the corner, his preference is to locate and arrest the source of the drugs.
“I’d rather have a quality arrest,” said Williams, adding the officers in this division put their lives on the line every day in a way unlike any other officer. “I don’t know of a more dangerous job than what those guys do every day.”
Williams said part of his job, which he admits has evolved into more time as an administrator than as an officer, includes monitoring the behavior of his officers in the Narcotics/Vice division. He said television shows and movies that depict undercover officers becoming drug addicts and mob members for the sake of making a bust are a bit farcical. However, the officers are taken off the street for periods of time in order to escape the stress.
Outside of work, Williams is busy as well. He has three sons that range from a first-grader to a high school senior. Family time, he says, is how he gets away.
“We go fishing and spend time in the woods. They are involved in sports, so we are at the ballpark a lot,” he said.
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