Nov. 2023
Last month, Lawrence Mayor Brian DePena appointed former law enforcement officer William Castro to be the acting police chief.
Castro was DePena’s chief of staff and immediately came under fire from city councilors and city council candidates for being a “political appointment”. One candidate even posted on Facebook that Castro had no experience in law enforcement and his appointment was “corrupt”.
“First of all, all government appointments are political,” Castro said. “Local government is run by politicians; they make the decisions and every police and fire chief is appointed by an elected official.”
Just a few days after being appointed, Castro appeared on the Paying Attention! Podcast with Valley Patriot publisher Tom Duggan and presented his Law Enforcement resume live, on the air and asked if we would publish it to silence those who are publicly claiming he has no qualifications to be chief.
WILLIAM CASTRO
An accomplished law enforcement professional, with a supportive human service background and participatory leadership style prepared to introduce new concepts, strategies that focuses on building positive relationship between the Lawrence Police Department, and the Community.
• Over 25 years of experience in varied Law Enforcement responsibilities
• Experience managing, and supervising
• Ability to work independently or in a team setting
• Experience working with individuals from diverse ethnic backgrounds
• Considerable expertise in Federal, State, and local multijurisdictional law enforcement collaboration and community engagement
• Ability to communicate effectively across a multicultural environment
• Committed to diversity, transparency and inclusion in support of an equitable police force
• Bilingual language proficiency – English/Spanish
EMPLOYMENT
2023-Present City of Lawrence, Mayor’s Office Chief of Staff
Responsible for supervising and managing the daily operations of the Mayor’s office as well as assisting the Mayor to implement policy initiatives, programs, contracts, grants, expenditures, policies, and regulations. Be accountable for managing and overseeing the Mayor’s budget ensuring operation within its allocated funds. Participate in union contract negotiations and grievances. Serve as a critical member of the Mayor’s team, playing an essential role as a liaison between the Mayor’s office, and other city officials including department heads, nonprofit organizations, community stakeholders, city council members, and state delegation.
1999-2023 Essex County’s Sherriff’s Department-Held various positions as described below:
2019-2023 ECSD Criminal Investigator/ DEA HIDA Task Force
Drug Enforcement Administration-HIDA Manchester New Hampshire Regional Office. A Criminal Investigator in charge of the enforcement of the Controlled Substances Act, as well as investigations of the highest level of domestic and international Drug Trafficking Organizations, Gangs and Terrorisms. Responsibilities include but not limited to conduct federally funded court-authorized wire, surveillance, acting in an undercover capacity, debrief defendants/confidential informants, write investigative confidential reports, operational plan reports, execute operational plans, search and seizure warrants, investigations, arrests, testify and ensure the safety of other Law Enforcement Officials and most important the Public.
2017-2019 ECSD Criminal Investigator/Lawrence Police Task Force
Assigned to the Warrant Apprehension Unit and Lawrence Police Department Gang Task Force. Responsible for investigating security threat groups (Gangs) and disrupting criminal activity.
2016-2017 ECSD Pre Release Center Criminal Investigator
Assigned to the ECSD Pre-Release Center and responsible for the implementation of post order, unit rules and regulation and conduct criminal investigations. Ensure the safety of the Public, Staff and Inmates.
2005-2016 ECSD Criminal Investigator/Drug Enforcement Administration-Promoted
Criminal Investigator, assigned to the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Methuen Police Department Drug/Gang Unit. Served as an undercover Task Force Agent for 11 years and responsible for record seizures of Fentanyl, Heroin, Crystal Methamphetamine, Cocaine, MDMA pills and millions in U.S Currency.
2002-2005 ECSD Sergeant – Promoted Supervisor of the Special Management Unit (SMU)
Responsible for Officer’s evaluations, climate/incident/informational reports/use of force, disciplinary reports, field-training officer, mentor to new and veteran officers and instrumental in the implementation of unit rule and regulations, post orders, policy and procedures. Member of the Warrant, Tactical, Apprehension Team and OIC of the Primary Response Team.
1999-2002 Essex County Sheriff’s Department (ECSD) and Correctional Facility
Officer, assigned to the Infirmary Unit. Responsible for inmate accountability the implementation of unit rules, regulation, post orders, policy and procedures. Ensure the safe running of the institution, the safety of staff and the public.
1997-1999 Defense Government Service – Internal Revenue Service
Corporal Security Supervisor, responsible for the safety of federal property and its employees. Reviewing post orders, policy and procedures.
TRAINING/CERTIFICATE/CERTIFICATIONS
1995 Massachusetts Class A License to Carry Firearm
1996 Massachusetts Criminal Justice Training Council. The Northeast Regional Police Institute “Suicide Prevention, Intervention and Detection, Tactical Handcuffing, Handgun Retention, OC-Aerosol, CPR and First Responder”
1999 The Psychological Center “Juvenile Counseling”
1999 Commonwealth of Massachusetts Basic Training Program in Correctional Practices
2002 Office of Emergency Management Services “Terrorism Preparedness”2005 United States Department of Justice Drug Enforcement Administration “DEA Narcotic Investigations”
2005 Multijurisdictional Counterdrug Task Force Training “Courtroom Testimony”
2006 Multijurisdictional Counterdrug Task Force Training “Conspiracy Investigations, Pharmaceutical Drug Investigations”
2007 Multijurisdictional Counterdrug Task Force Training “Criminal Street Gang Investigations, Current Drug Trends, Interviewing and Interrogation”
2007 United States Department of Transportation Commercial Motor Vehicle Criminal Interdiction “Rapid Risk Recognition, Assessment and Response”
2008 Multijurisdictional Counterdrug Task Force Training “Criminal Street Gangs Strategic Operations”
2010 Connecticut State Police Academy “Advance Concealed Compartment Course”
2011 West Virginia State Police/Drug Enforcement Administration “Certify Advance Concealed Compartment Instructor”
2014 Lowell Police Department Training Institute In-Service Training
2015 New England State Police “Criminal Investigation School”
2016 Methuen Police Department Defensive Tactics and Active Shooter
2018 Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) Certification
2019 Police Department Training Institute In-Service Training, ECSD In-Service and DEA tactical training
2020 Police Department Training Institute In-Service Training, ECSD In-Service and DEA tactical training
2021 Police Department Training Institute In-Service Training, ECSD In-Service and DEA tactical training
2022 Police Department Training Institute In-Service Training, ECSD In-Service and DEA tactical training
2022 Municipal Police Training Committee Bridge Academy Training Program
2023 Police Department Training Institute, Methuen Police Department In-Service training
COMMENDABLE ACTION LETTLE/COMMENDATIONS/SPECIAL AWARDS
1995 Haverhill Police Department Appreciation Letter
1996 Haverhill Police Department Appreciation Letter
1997 Internal Revenue Service (IRS) two “Commendable Action Letters, Medical Emergency”
1999 Essex County Sheriff’s Department “Life Saving” Commendable Action Letter
1999 Member of the Essex County Sheriff’s Department Tactical Team
2000 Essex County Sheriff’s Dept. Employee of the Month “In Recognition of Outstanding Performance of your Official Duties, Professionalism, and Positive Attitude”
2002 Certificate of Achievement in Recognition of the Promotion to the Rank of Sargent Supervisor
2003 City of Lawrence Official Citation “In Recognition of the many years of Dedicated Service, Beyond the Call of Duty to the Citizens of Lawrence”
2004 Commonwealth of Massachusetts House of Representatives Official Citation in recognition of “ Your Many Years of Dedicated and Outstanding Service to the Essex County Sheriff’s Department and to the Great City of Lawrence and the People of the Merrimack Valley”
2005 Certificate of Achievement in Recognition of the Promotion to the Position of Security Investigator
2005 Drug Enforcement Administration Certificate of Appreciation “For Outstanding Contributions in the Field of Drug Law Enforcement”
2005 New England Narcotic Narcotics Enforcement Officers’ Association “Outstanding Contribution,
Dedication and Sacrifice given to the Citizens of New England through the Field of Narcotic Law Enforcement”, Hyannis, Massachusetts
2009 New England Narcotic Narcotics Enforcement Officers’ Association Certificate “Outstanding
Contribution, Dedication and Sacrifice given to the Citizens of New England through the Field of Narcotic Law Enforcement”, Hyannis, Massachusetts
2009 New England Narcotic Enforcement Award “Outstanding Contribution, Dedication and Sacrifice given to the Citizens of New England through the Field of Narcotic Law Enforcement”
2010 New England Narcotic Enforcement Award “Outstanding Contribution, Dedication and Sacrifice given to the Citizens of New England through the Field of Narcotic Law Enforcement”
2011 Lowell Police Department Office of the Superintendent Police “Distinguished Unit Action Bar” for “Dedication and Commitment to the Lowell Police Department”
2012 U.S. Department of Justice/Drug Enforcement Administration Commendation Letter for “His Commitment to Law Enforcement and the Essex County Sheriff’s Department”
2013 Amesbury Police Department Commendation Letter “His extensive knowledge and skill at detecting and locating vehicle drug hides”
2014 Federal Executive Board of Boston “Excellence, Agent of the Year” award
2015 New England Narcotic Enforcement Award “Outstanding Contribution, Dedication and Sacrifice given to the Citizens of New England through the Field of Narcotic Law Enforcement”, Portsmouth, New Hampshire
2016 Commonwealth of Massachusetts House of Representatives Official Citation in recognition of “His Many Years of Outstanding Service, Dedication and Sacrifice given to the City of Lawrence and to the People of the Merrimack Valley Through the field of Law Enforcement and Narcotic Investigations”
2016 Commonwealth of Massachusetts State Senate Official Citation, “In Recognition of: “Your dedication to serving your community and commitment to improving the lives of people through the Commonwealth of Massachusetts”
2017 Commonwealth of Massachusetts House of Representatives Official Citation in recognition of “Your Commitment, Dedication and Hard Work for the Lawrence Community”
2017 City of Lawrence Hispanic Heritage Award, “Honoring your commitment and outstanding efforts
to enriching and educating the Hispanic community through public and community services”
2017 City of Lawrence Official Citation “In recognition of your value dedication, outstanding community service and continued commitment to A.A.C.P., Lawrence and the community it serves”
2017 Essex County Sheriff’s Department Commendation “For his outstanding efforts while assigned to the City of Lawrence Warrant Apprehension Unit. Castro’s outstanding professionalism, tireless work ethic, and communication skills exhibit a high level of dedication to duty. SI Castro is an exemplary representation of the Essex County Sheriff’s Department to not only outside law enforcement but to the general public as well.”
2019 Commonwealth of Massachusetts State Senate Official Citation, “In Recognition of: Your
extraordinary work in the community.”
2019 Commonwealth of Massachusetts House of Representatives Official Citation, in recognition of
“Your service & selfless commitment to the Lawrence community and the youth of Sueños Basketball”
2022 National HIDA Awards Washington, DC “Outstanding Overdose Investigative Effort”
2023 City of Lawrence Official Citation “In recognition of your value dedication, outstanding community service and continued commitment to A.A.C.P.,
2023 City of Lawrence Hispanic Heritage Award, “Honoring your commitment and outstanding efforts to enriching and educating the Hispanic community through public and community services”
Volunteer Work
• Semana Hispana en Lawrence Inc.
• Sueños Basketball Lawrence, MA
• Methuen Open Space Recreational Advisory Committee under Mayor Perry
• Assistant coach for Methuen Youth Baseball
• Haverhill Police Department Auxiliary Police Officer