Williams selected as new chief of police

The University of North Georgia (UNG) has named Greg Williams as the university's new chief of police and director of public safety, effective Dec. 1.

"We are very fortunate to have someone of Greg's experience, qualification and integrity," Dr. Frank "Mac" McConnell, senior vice president for business and finance, said. "He has more than six years' experience at UNG and over 17 years of experience with the University System of Georgia."

Williams' appointment follows his employment as interim police chief for the past seven months. He took over the reins of UNG Public Safety in May 2021 when former chief Justin Gaines stepped down to pursue a doctoral degree in criminal justice.

"I consider the past seven months as interim as my job interview," Williams said. "During that time, I discovered that this is the job I wanted to continue to do. It was a natural fit for me."

Becoming the police chief seems to be the natural progression for the lifelong public servant. He has spent most of his career with police departments in higher education.

"I was raised in an environment of service," Williams said, explaining his mother and grandmother were school teachers while his father worked for the Georgia Department of Labor. "Law enforcement has always been a calling for me."

That call strengthened when Williams participated in Police Explorers Program in high school. During his summer break from Georgia Southern University, he enrolled in the Georgia Public Safety Training Center in Savannah, Georgia. When Williams graduated from the academy, he transferred to Georgia College and State University in Milledgeville, Georgia.

"I was hired as a dispatcher there, and three months later I was promoted to a police officer," Williams said.

For the next seven years, he rose through the ranks there. He served as a sergeant in 2006, an officer in charge of special operations in 2008 and a police lieutenant in 2009. He also earned a bachelor's degree in criminal justice.

Williams met his wife at Georgia College and State University, and the pair relocated to Athens, Georgia, in 2011. He was hired as a police officer at the University of Georgia.

"I had a great experience at a large institution that faces complex public safety issues," he said.

Then in 2015, Williams discovered the opening in emergency management at UNG. He got the job and started as a police captain in August 2015. Two years later, he was promoted to associate director of emergency preparedness.

"I learned a tremendous amount working under Chief Gaines," Williams said. "He allowed me to learn and grow my leadership skills. He left a great legacy. I am honored UNG has appointed me to continue the commitment of student success through public safety."