Holly Hill hires a new police chief amid a misconduct investigation

HOLLY HILL, Florida – The city of Holly Hill announced it has hired a new police chief, days after the conclusion of a months-long investigation by the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office.

Joseph A. Forte, Holly Hill’s city manager, said Tuesday that Byron K. Williams “has accepted the position of Chief of Police in Holly Hill.”

“Chief Williams emerged as an outstanding candidate, receiving unanimous approval from the interview panel. After further discussions and due diligence, I am pleased to confirm that he has accepted this position,” Forte said.

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Williams won’t have to travel far, as he has served as captain of the Daytona Beach Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Division since 2022. The resume Williams submitted for the position shows he has over 24 years of law enforcement experience, all with DBPD.

The Holly Hill Police Department was in need of new leadership after former Chief Jeffrey Miller and a captain resigned amid allegations of “inappropriate incidents.” City officials said two sergeants remain on administrative leave as part of the same investigation.

The city turned the investigation over to the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office in March to keep it impartial. The sheriff’s office also directed law enforcement in Holly Hill during the investigation, which ended last week.

While the findings have not yet been made public, Volusia Sheriff Mike Chitwood told News 6 what he saw was “pretty shocking.”

“If this is true, it is quite shocking that the leadership of a police organization would engage in this type of behavior,” Chitwood said.

Forte told News 6 Williams will begin as chief on Monday, July 15.

He will still face an extensive investigation, which will be overseen by the head of the Daytona Beach Shores Department of Public Safety.

Forte said a decision on the future of the two suspended sergeants should be made this week.

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