Gary Williams

Director of Community Outreach and Engagement

Gary Williams is the Director of Community Outreach and Engagement for the Division of Public Safety. In this role, Gary will work to build and sustain relationships with the community Public Safety serves in West Philadelphia. This includes focusing on the implementation of projects that examine how and what DPS communicates with our community, including partnerships with the Police Athletic League, revising community surveys, and other initiatives.

Gary Williams has served for over 23 years at the University of Pennsylvania, joining Penn in 2001 after spending four years with the Philadelphia Police Department. He was promoted to Patrol Sergeant after just one year with Penn. He next held the Executive Lieutenant position, where he served on the accident Safety Review Board, Emergency Response Team, UPPD Bike Unit, Police Athletic League (PAL) commander and the community response unit. He also served as the Liaison to student groups across Penn’s campus. Gary was then promoted to Captain of Patrol, where he held responsibilities for management of daily Patrol Operations, police operations activities and compliance, and liaison with local community organizations. Gary was appointed as Interim Chief of Police in May of 2022 and then Chief of Police in January of 2023. His role expanded to include a larger management portfolio, including community engagement, where he focused and energized our community outreach unit and directed our PAL officer and PAL partnerships.

When not at work, Gary enjoys spending time with family and friends.

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