Paul Williams

The mayor of Bloomington said the city and police department must work to regain public trust in the wake of the abrupt retirement of Assistant Chief Paul Williams. Williams was involved in a questionable traffic stop that sparked a lawsuit against Williams and the city.

Former Assistant Police Chief Paul Williams repeatedly leveraged his position and power during a four-decade career at the BPD, in ways which sometimes concerned his subordinates and superiors. The latest incident, involving a June traffic stop conducted while he was off duty, prompted a lawsuit followed by his abrupt retirement.

The court dismissed Cassandra and Jadeyn Lacey's claims they were subject to false arrest and mistreatment after being charged with stealing from Blueze medical spa. The couple was acquitted before the criminal case went to trial.

Bloomington Assistant Police Chief Paul Williams submitted notice of his retirement Tuesday after decades with the department.