The role of the Police Chief is to ensure professional policing of the community and an efficiently run department that is responsive to the needs of the community. 

On June 14, 2006, Mayor Henderson Yarbrough, Sr., of Maywood, Illinois, announced the appointment of Elvia P. Williams as the Village's new Police Chief. The Maywood Village Board approved a two-year contract with Williams at its June 14, 2006, meeting. She took command on July 17, 2006, becoming the first African American woman to command Maywood's police force.

Williams has served in law enforcement for approximately 20 years, moving up through the ranks from patrol officer to Investigations Captain, the position she held with the Eugene, Oregon, Police Department prior to assuming her current duties in Maywood.  She also served as Patrol Captain and Operations Support Captain in Eugene.

Williams began her career as a police officer with the City of Newport News, Virginia.  She holds a Master's degree in counseling from Hampton University and a Bachelor's degree in Applied Psychology from Loyola University, in Chicago. She is working toward her doctorate in Urban Studies.

In addition to working in law enforcement, Williams teaches courses in Criminal Justice at the Academy and Community College levels. A sample of her relevant experience includes supervising and managing civilian and sworn employees, leading her department's Racial Profiling Taskforce, teaching Ethics in Law Enforcement for her department, and working with diverse communities to form positive relationships between the police department and the people it serves.

"I'm very excited about Ms. Williams coming to Maywood," said Mayor Yarbrough, "and proud of the process we used to select her. It is a good example of how this administration is living up to its promise to conduct business in a fair and honest manner. The result of our efforts is a Police Chief who will bring Maywoodians and our police force together to make this a better community for everyone."

Robert L. Nelis, Sr., the former Maywood Village Manager, had the responsibility of choosing William from a field of candidates. "I picked her because I think she has the best combination of training, experience, expertise and personality for Maywood," said Nelis. "My mandate from the Village Board is to professionalize the operations of the Village so that it works better for everyone. Elvia Williams is a real professional. She brings fresh approaches that will contribute not just to a better Police Department, but also to a better Village."