HOLLY HILL, Fla. — Incoming Police Chief Byron K. Williams met with residents of Holly Hill Thursday night during a meet-and-greet that followed a damning Volusia County Sheriff's Office investigation into the city's police department under its previous leadership.
The internal affairs investigation described alleged sex acts and sexual harassment within a toxic work environment at the department that caused several department leaders to resign — including former Police Chief Jeff Miller, Capt. Chris Yates, and Sgt. Shannon Fountain.
Speaking to those in attendance, Williams said the department described in the Sheriff's Office investigation is a thing of the past.
"Professionalism, integrity and respect — we've got to have those three components in this organization, and I'm going to make sure they're there," he said.
After Miller stepped down, a panel of local police chiefs and the city manager selected Williams, who was previously a captain at the Daytona Beach Police Department.
"The things that have taken place in the leadership rold a couple months ago is why there needs to be a change in the culture," Williams said. "Some things have been allowed to go forard, and it stops today. I stops when I start work. My first day of work, that changes."
The meet-and-greet was open to the public and will take place in the City Commission Chambers at City Hall starting at 6 p.m. Thursday.
Holly Hill resident Paul Tomasi said he was glad to hear Williams speak so passionately about his plans for the department.
"I think a fresh start is something we're going to have to do anyway," he said. "I think everyone should accept that and give our new chief the opportunity to do the best that he can."
Resident Kimberly Dibble likewise, said she was optimistic about the Holly Hill Police Department going forward.
"I think there's quite the opportunity," she said. "Hopefully, whoever can't fall in like to get things the way they need to be, maybe it's time for them to walk away."
Ahead of the meeting, Holly Hill business owner Carmen Ruiz said she was upset about the things included in the Volusia County investigation.
“It's disturbing to hear that these kinds of things are happening with people that you, first you care about, right?" she said. "Because when you are involved like that, these are your friends and your colleagues, both the people doing the things and the people that they're being done to. So it's disappointing to see it happen here."
Ruiz has been a part of the Holly Hill community for seven years and says her business creates relationships with the local municipality, and that includes the police department.
“We obviously need a huge culture shift," she said. "Making sure that the current staff, the law enforcement men and women that are serving our community, are safe and that they feel good going to work so that they can do a good job for us as citizens and community partners, as well."