Williams among two candidates running for top Slidell position
By KEVIN CHIRI
Slidell news bureau
SLIDELL – Why does Tommy Williams believe he is the best candidate to win election in May for the Slidell police chief job?
“My leadership skills, my personal integrity and for earning the respect of over 25 elected officials from around the state,” the 61-year-old said. “I have had an impeccable 30-plus year law enforcement career and I am a decorated U.S. Navy veteran.
“Becoming police chief would be the next step in my progression in a leadership role,” he said. “I have more training and experience than my opponent and that’s why I believe I will win.”
Williams, a recently retired Slidell Police officer, and former Slidell Police Officer Brian Nicaud are the only two candidates who have announced plans to qualify for the election, which is set in May. Listening to both talk about their impressive careers, and why they believe they should be the next chief, is like listening to a recording that either man could have made.
Williams, a graduate of Pearl River High School, went to work out of high school in the oil and gas industry for five years, then shifted to the military in 1987 when he joined the Navy and served eight years.
After moving to Georgia in 1995, he graduated from the Kenesaw, GA, police academy and was hired by the city of Roswell in their police department, where he stayed for 14 years. During that time, he wrote and received a federal grant, getting promoted to sergeant where he headed a shift of 10 or more officers.
He returned to Slidell after Hurricane Katrina when he saw the devastation, leading to being hired by the Slidell Police Department in 2007 until he recently retired.
“I believe that one of my best qualities is to inspire and motivate officers to share my vision and work to the best of their ability,” he noted. “I already have earned the trust and respect of my peers at the SPD, and that came from my dedication to the job, my work ethic and a positive can-do attitude.”
Both Williams and Nicaud bring strong experience to the sought after position as chief, and both agreed the SPD has created a safe community for locals, but both also see ways to make the Slidell Police better.
“My first priority is to continue safeguarding the citizens of Slidell in the manner we have done so far,” Williams said. “As chief, I will listen to the concerns and needs of the community and take proactive steps to address them.”
Williams said he worked closely with former Chief Randy Fandal, who recently won election as mayor of Slidell. Fandal was the third city police chief to move to the mayor’s office, something Williams promised he would not do.
“I won’t be the next mayor, I promise,” he said with a smile. “I’m in this to win election for police chief, and when I’m finished as chief, I am done.”
Like Nicaud, Williams was understandably very complimentary of the work done by the department he has been working at, but said he wants to increase the numbers in the traffic division for higher visibility of officers on the street. And he wants to increase the size of the narcotics division since public surveys have shown those two areas are of top concern to citizens.
“When you talk to people in Slidell, their top concern is speeding and the second is drugs,” he noted. “We will maintain a ‘tough on crime’ attitude, just as we have done in the past and I also plan to work with other agencies to form partnerships that benefit us all.”
Asked about the ongoing concern for Slidellians about criminals coming across the lake from New Orleans to prey on the more affluent residents of the North Shore, Williams said he is ready to take it on.
“I realize that crime knows no boundaries,” he responded. “We will vigorously protect the residents of the city and parish, no matter where they are from. We are tough on crime now and this reputation will continue under my leadership.”
After Fandal led the way for the city to get backing for a new tax measure that is not only funding a new police building, but also provided revenue for substantial raises to Slidell officers. Williams said it is vital to keep that benefit and pay package up.
“Even though we have raised our pay to the best in the area, I am well aware that other agencies are always trying to leapfrog past us and others to have the top pay,” he said. “That’s why I am focused on doing everything possible to keep our officers happy, and that means treating them fairly, communicating with the staff and doing whatever it takes so they want to stay here.”
Williams frequently talked about a quality he believes is a strength, and that is motivating officers to follow his vision.
“My management style is to empower people with a strong emphasis of communication. That works from the top to the bottom, and from the bottom to the top,” he stated. “I will have an open-door policy so everyone under my command will have a voice in our shared goals and vision.”
Williams didn’t shy away from comparing his overall ability to that of Fandal, who served 10 years as chief as he completed an impressive 45-year law enforcement career, which enabled him to easily win the mayor’s election.
“I think the only real difference in Randy and I is that he has more experience, since all of his 45 years were in law enforcement,” he added. “But I don’t do lazy and my management style will motivate our officers to want to do their best for the citizens of Slidell.”
Williams also pointed to a lot of community involvement he has been a part of since returning to Slidell, including the American Legion, Slidell Lions Club, and Men of Steel, among other charity work he has volunteered for.
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