Robert William, a lifelong Glendale resident and veteran member of the Glendale Police Department, was officially appointed on June 23 as the department’s 21st chief of police, becoming the first Armenian to lead the agency, the Armenian Report informs.
William succeeds former Police Chief Manny Cid, who led the department from 2023 to 2026.
Home to one of the largest Armenian communities outside Armenia, Glendale’s new police chief is widely known for his longstanding relationships with the city’s diverse neighborhoods and his commitment to community engagement.
William’s journey with the department began more than two decades ago as a student volunteer and Police Cadet. He was sworn in as a police officer in 2003 and steadily rose through the ranks, serving in a broad range of operational and administrative assignments.
His executive leadership experience expanded significantly after he was promoted to Police Captain in March 2020. During Chief Cid’s tenure, William led each of the department’s three major bureaus — Field Services, Investigative Services, and Specialized Services — overseeing patrol operations, criminal investigations and specialized public safety functions while gaining extensive managerial and operational experience.
In September 2025, William was appointed Deputy Chief of Police, serving as the department’s second-in-command. In that role, he oversaw daily operations and supervised the Professional Standards Bureau, Internal Affairs and the Training Bureau. He was named Interim Chief of Police in January 2026 and led the department for nearly six months before receiving his official appointment.
Throughout his career, William has spearheaded initiatives aimed at strengthening Glendale’s public safety capabilities and has developed expertise in organizational strategy, labor relations, interagency coordination and community engagement.
A graduate of the prestigious FBI National Academy, William also completed the Senior Management Institute for Police through the Police Executive Research Forum. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice Management and a master’s degree in Public Administration.
Beyond his professional accomplishments, William has remained deeply involved in Glendale through youth programs, schools and civic organizations. He is a husband and father of two sons and has often emphasized leading with compassion, fairness and a clear vision for the future.
Speaking to The Armenian Report shortly after his appointment, William reflected on his journey and the significance of becoming the first Armenian police chief in the city’s history.
“One of the biggest surprises of my career was how supportive the Armenian community has been,” he said.
“When I was growing up in Glendale, I wasn’t sure how the Armenian community was going to accept an Armenian police officer. It was actually to my surprise that Armenians are very, very supportive of public safety. They’re very supportive of law and order.”
William said he often felt a special connection when responding to calls involving Armenian residents, many of whom appreciated seeing an Armenian officer in uniform.
He recalled that support becoming especially visible during the nationwide civil unrest following the killing of George Floyd in 2020.
“That’s when we saw the Armenian community come out in huge support,” he said. “It was evidenced by all the baklava and lahmajoun in our lobby. They were all bringing in their way of showing appreciation for what we were doing.”
Asked to describe Glendale’s Armenian community in three words, William answered: “Resilient, prideful, aggressive.”
For William, however, making history is meaningful only if it creates opportunities for others.
“It’s nice to be the first of something, but what would be nicer is to pave the road for me not to be the last,” he said.
He expressed hope that his appointment would inspire both young officers already serving in the department and aspiring police officers throughout the community.
“When they see Robert, they see themselves,” he said.
