BULLHEAD CITY – Bullhead City Chief of Police Brian Williamson has announced his retirement. Chief Williamson’s last day serving Bullhead City will be September 1. Chief Williamson recently notified City Manager Toby Cotter of his pending retirement, but he has been planning his retirement for many months. Chief Williamson had already entered the DROP Program (Deferred Retirement Option Plan) as part of the state’s public safety retirement system.
“Chief Williamson has been a great Chief of Police for Bullhead City,” Cotter said. “He has been a rock for the department and the City. His commitment to the community, city government and his team members has been at the highest of all levels.”
Williamson started as a patrol officer with the police department in 1998. He was appointed the Interim Chief of Police by Cotter in December of 2013 and Police Chief in May of 2014. He began his law enforcement career in the United States Army, serving from 1988 – 1992, and also served with the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office from 1992-1998.
“Serving as the Chief of Police of the Bullhead City Police Department has been the highest honor. I have spent most of my adult life in law enforcement and it has been a privilege to serve. I would like to thank the community, City Council and City Manager Cotter for the opportunity to lead the Bullhead City Police Department. I would also like to thank the members of the Bullhead City Police Department, past and present. You are all some of the best in the business and I am honored to have served alongside of you all. I have had a great and interesting career and I am now looking forward to pursuing new and exciting opportunities in the private sector.”
Cotter announced today that Captain Dennis DeSantis will be the Interim Police Chief effective September 2 and will help guide the department as the City begins recruiting for a new police chief. DeSantis anticipates retiring in 2021.
