Leading with Trust: Glendale’s First Armenian Police Chief Robert William on

BY NANE AGAVYAN

For the first time in Glendale’s history, the city’s Police Chief is Armenian American: Robert William. During his 24 years with the Glendale Police Department, William has served in numerous divisions and steadily advanced through the ranks—from police cadet and officer to lieutenant, captain, and deputy police chief—making significant contributions to the department’s growth and development along the way.

His dedication to public service, leadership, and commitment to the Glendale community have earned him widespread respect among colleagues and residents alike.

Robert William’s family immigrated to the United States from Armenia in the early 1990s, but he has held onto his Armenian identity, and speaks the language fluently. “My childhood memories are connected with the city of Masis, where we lived before moving to America. Through the years in the U.S., my family preserved our Armenian identity: we all speak Armenian at home and keep our traditions,” the newly appointed police chief told Asbarez in an exclusive interview.

William’s was nominated as a candidate by the Glendale City Manager and officially approved by the Glendale City Council on June 23. Glendale Mayor Ardy Kassakhian, joining the conversation, said William has dedicated decades of his career to serving the city and has a deep understanding of Glendale, its community’s needs, and the challenges it faces.

“Robert has a truly unique background. There are few people who have, in the truest sense of the word, risked their lives for the safety and security of this city. He has played a significant role in shaping the Police Department, and I am confident that under his leadership Glendale will continue to grow and thrive. It was also important for Glendale to have an Armenian police chief, as the city is considered a center of the Armenian American Diaspora,” Kassakhian said.

In his exclusive interview with Asbarez, Chief William reflects on his journey from immigrant to police chief, discusses the values that have guided his career, and outlines his priorities and vision for the future of the Glendale Police Department.

NANE AVAGYAN: Congratulations on your appointment as Glendale’s Police Chief. You have served the Glendale Police Department for 24 years. Looking back, what first inspired you to become a police officer, and what does this appointment mean to you personally?

ROBERT WILLIAM: My story is very similar to many kids my age who immigrated to the United States at a young age. It’s the typical immigrant story. My family came here in the 1990s, and like many families, we didn’t have high income. My siblings and I worked to help and support the family.

I first applied to the police department for a job, but I was too young to be hired. Even then, in my heart, I knew I wanted to become a police officer, so I started volunteering and doing different jobs around the department. My determination never changed. After graduating from high school and starting college, I learned about a position where college students could work as police cadets. I became a police cadet at Glendale Community College, which had its own police department. Soon afterward, I joined the Glendale Police Department as a police cadet. I still remember someone asking me, “Are you ready to become a police officer?” I was. I wanted to serve as a police officer, but I also needed to earn an income to help my parents and support my family. So, at the age of 21, I became a police officer.

Throughout my career, I had the privilege to meet outstanding police officers who became role models. They gave me valuable advice: keep your head down, work hard, and your hard work will take you far. At the time, I never imagined that one day I would become the Chief of Police. Over the years, I was promoted several times, and new opportunities continued to open up. Eventually, the possibility of becoming police chief became real. Even then, I tried not to get distracted by titles. I focused on doing the best job I could every day. I’ve always worked hard for the department and for the community.

This job is not easy. It’s dangerous. I’ve faced my share of dangerous situations, including being shot in the line of duty in 2008. That could have been a turning point in my life. I could have decided the job was too dangerous—especially coming from an Armenian family. My mother wanted me to leave the profession and never put myself in that kind of situation again. But instead of walking away, I made the decision not only to continue but to work even harder. I wanted to become a better officer and a better person. Looking back, that was a defining turning point in my career. Once I made that decision, I committed myself completely.

Over the past 10 years, I have consistently served in leadership roles—as Deputy Chief, Captain, and Police Lieutenant. While serving those positions, my expectations have never changed. The only difference now is that my team has become much bigger. I used to oversee a division of the department; now I lead the entire department. The expectations remain the same, and they’re very clear and straightforward. I tell our officers that I expect them to be proactive, to be visible in the community, and to make sure people see that the Glendale Police Department is serving them. When residents see our officers in their neighborhoods, they feel safer, and that’s exactly what we want.

N.A.: You are the first Armenian to lead the Glendale Police Department. Glendale is home to one of the largest Armenian communities outside of Armenia. About ten years ago, there were concerns that the number of Armenian officers in the department did not reflect the size of the city’s Armenian population. Today, the picture looks very different, culminating in your appointment as chief. What changes helped make that possible, and how has the department evolved over the past decade? What message do you hope this sends to young Armenian Americans considering careers in law enforcement?

R.W.: It’s a unique situation because, growing up, I was the only one in my circle of friends who wanted to become a police officer. When I joined the Glendale Police Department, there were only about five or six Armenian officers, and all of them were American-born. I was one of those immigrant kids. Even then, I believed that, over time, we would naturally see more Armenians joining the profession. As new generations grew up and their families learned more about the mission of law enforcement in the United States, they began to understand that policing here is very different from what many people experienced in their countries of origin. It’s a noble profession. It’s a respected profession. You’re not going to become rich, but you can earn a good living, raise a family, own a home, and build a meaningful career.

It took time, but that change happened. More and more Armenians have chosen to enter law enforcement. Today, we have 35 Armenian employees in the Glendale Police Department, including eight women. Some of them, like me, are immigrants. I hope my appointment as Police Chief opens doors for the next generation. I want young Armenian Americans to realize that they can achieve this as well. I hope they see me as someone whose path shows that it’s possible. In fact, many of our younger Armenian officers have already told me that they see me as a role model, and that is incredibly meaningful to me.

N.A.: What do you see as the biggest challenges facing the Glendale Police Department today? What are your top priorities as chief?

R.W.: One of our biggest challenges is making sure Glendale remains a place where people want to build their careers as police officers. Right now, departments across the country are competing for qualified officers, so recruitment is a challenge. But just as important is retention — making sure the people who come here want to stay. My priority is to invest in our officers, to help them develop professionally and become strong leaders within the department.

Over the past three years, we’ve made significant investments. We’ve added more police officer positions, built a state-of-the-art Real-Time Intelligence Center that uses advanced technology to help solve crimes, purchased a new police helicopter, and acquired a new Mobile Command Post. Now that we’ve made those investments, my focus is on our people. I want to make sure our employees enjoy coming to work and have the support they need to succeed. When officers work in a positive environment, they’re better able to provide exceptional service to the community.

We also work hard to maintain the community’s trust. Transparency is essential, and we strive to keep residents informed and engaged. Our mission statement is built around three simple principles: Protect Glendale. Preserve Trust. Maximize Our Potential. Those are the values that guide everything we do.

From a practical standpoint, when serious crimes occur in Glendale, which fortunately is not often, we’re very successful at solving them. Whether it’s a homicide, burglary, robbery, or another major crime, our detectives, investigative techniques, and technology are highly sophisticated. We do an excellent job identifying and apprehending those responsible.

That said, the issue most residents talk about isn’t violent crime, it’s traffic safety. That’s something people experience every day while commuting to work or visiting family and friends. We all see reckless driving and dangerous behavior on our streets. I’m sure it’s not unique to Glendale, but it’s one of the concerns I hear about most often. As a result, I plan to significantly strengthen traffic enforcement. We need to send a clear message that dangerous driving will not be tolerated. My plan includes expanding our Traffic Bureau and setting clear expectations that traffic enforcement will be a priority for officers throughout the department. Residents can expect to see a stronger police presence on our streets and a renewed emphasis on making Glendale’s roads safer for everyone.

N.A.: What is the crime situation in Glendale today? What do the statistics show?

R.W.: I pay very close attention to our crime data. Every month, I review not only the types of crimes that are occurring, but also the kinds of arrests we’re making. We’re always looking for patterns because once we identify them, we can better allocate our resources to prevent and combat crime. For many years, and even today, there has been a saying in the criminal community: “Not Glendale. Let’s go somewhere else.” I’ve heard it throughout my career. When I was working undercover, I even tried to persuade a drug dealer to come to come sell drugs in Glendale. His response was, “No, let’s not meet in Glendale. Let’s meet somewhere else. The cops there are strict.” I love that fact and that’s a reputation that I want to hold for Glendale.

That doesn’t mean crime doesn’t happen here. During the COVID-19 pandemic and in the years immediately afterward, we experienced a significant increase in residential burglaries. Fortunately, we’ve seen those numbers begin to decline. Compared with last year, we’ve lowered those crimes by approximately 40 percent. That success is the result of several factors: we added 22 new police officer positions and deployed those officers into the community, the work of our Real-Time Intelligence Center, and our investment in advanced technology, including our citywide camera infrastructure. It’s well documented that a visible police presence helps deter crime. When officers are actively patrolling neighborhoods, criminals notice. In my opinion, that strategy played a significant role in reducing crime. I’ve also always expected our officers to be proactive. That wasn’t something I started advocating after becoming Chief—it’s a philosophy I’ve carried throughout my career. These tools make it much easier to identify suspects and reconstruct what happened after a crime occurs. As a result, we’re solving more cases, making more arrests, and holding offenders accountable.

N.A.: One of the biggest concerns today is drug abuse, especially among young people. The Glendale Police Department has responded by creating the Substance Abuse and Wellness Resource Program. What prompted the creation of this initiative, what services does it provide, and who can access them? Some people hesitate to seek help because they fear legal consequences or stigma. What would you say to someone who needs assistance but is afraid to reach out?

R.W.: I’m really glad you brought up our Substance Abuse and Wellness Resource Program because substance abuse is an issue that affects everyone, regardless of their background or socioeconomic status. You’re absolutely right, many people want help, but they’re afraid because of the stigma surrounding addiction or because they worry they’ll be arrested.

The idea for this program came from conversations I had with another captain during the COVID-19 pandemic. We saw substance abuse increasing, overdose deaths rising, and fentanyl devastating families, especially young people. We realized we needed a different approach. As police officers, we have a responsibility to enforce the law and hold people accountable when crimes are committed. But we also recognized that many people struggling with addiction have reached rock bottom and simply don’t know where to turn. Some don’t have family support, and many can’t afford treatment. We asked ourselves, “How can we create an opportunity to help them?” I can arrest someone ten times, but if they’re still struggling with substance abuse, nothing has really changed. If, however, we can connect that person with the right resources and they’re willing to accept help, we have an opportunity to change a life. That’s worth every dollar, every hour, and every effort we invest.

In my career, I often responded to calls in Armenian households where parents desperately asked me to help their children who were struggling with substance abuse. They didn’t want to see their children end up in jail, they wanted someone to guide them toward treatment. At the time, we simply didn’t have a program that could provide that kind of support. Those experiences stayed with me and became one of the inspirations for creating this initiative. In 2022, together with colleagues, I helped launch the Substance Abuse and Wellness Resource Program and I led it. If one of our officers responds to a call involving substance abuse, they now have somewhere to turn. Instead of simply leaving the family without support, the officer can say, “Let me connect you with someone who can help.” Before this program existed, we didn’t have that option.

One of the best decisions we made was bringing civilian specialists into the department. Sona Hovsepyan has truly become the heart of this program. She knows how to work with families in a compassionate way, and people don’t feel intimidated because her role is to help, not to enforce the law. We’ve placed a strong emphasis on community outreach. We work with local schools to educate students and parents, and sometimes the most effective approach doesn’t involve a police uniform at all.

To anyone who is afraid to reach out, my message is this: our goal is to help, not to punish. If you contact us because your child is struggling with addiction, we’re not coming to arrest your child. If illegal drugs are present, we will collect them as evidence, but our primary focus is helping families access treatment and recovery services.

If someone is found committing a crime or possessing illegal drugs in public, they will still be held accountable under the law. But our involvement doesn’t end with an arrest, that’s often where our support begins. Our goal is to help them recover, rebuild their lives, become productive members of the community, and reunite with their families.

N.A.: Homelessness has also become a growing concern in Glendale. What role does the Glendale Police Department play in addressing this issue?

R.W.: The Glendale Police Department addresses homelessness through our Homeless Outreach and Psychological Evaluation Team, which pairs police officers with mental health professionals to work directly with individuals experiencing homelessness. Their goal is to connect people with resources, services, and long-term support. As a department, we partner with nonprofit organizations and service providers because our approach is centered on helping people find a path toward stability. We want to connect them with housing, mental health care, substance abuse treatment, and other resources before their situation becomes even more difficult.

Our officers build relationships with individuals experiencing homelessness. Sometimes they have to contact the same person 10, 15, or even 20 times before that person is willing to accept help. At the same time, we enforce the law. If someone is drinking alcohol in public, openly using drugs, or committing other crimes, we will hold them accountable. If someone begins setting up a tent or constructing a makeshift shelter, we work closely with the City to address the situation quickly and humanely. Our goal is to keep Glendale safe, clean, and welcoming while treating every individual with dignity and respect.

I also think it’s important to address a common misconception. Some people believe that if they call the police because they see a homeless person, we can simply remove that person. That’s not how the law works. A person cannot be arrested simply for being homeless. If they are not committing a crime, they have the same legal rights as anyone else. Part of our job is educating the community about what the law allows us to do. At the same time, I want residents to know that we have dedicated resources, experienced personnel, and a comprehensive strategy to address homelessness.

N.A.: Public trust is critical for every police department. As Chief, what will be your approach to strengthening public trust and ensuring residents feel heard, respected, and safe? How do you envision strengthening partnerships between officers and the community?

R.W.: I believe policing is a two-way street. Public safety can only be achieved through a strong partnership between the police department and the community. People often say we have one of the best police departments because Glendale is one of the safest cities in the country. I would argue that we also have some of the best residents. Glendale is home to a law-abiding community that supports its police department, and when a police department has the trust and support of its community, it can do its job even more effectively.

I don’t like to think of residents as customers. They’re our partners. Public safety isn’t something the police can achieve alone. Sometimes we can solve a problem on our own, but many times we need the community’s help. We need people to call us when they see a crime, report suspicious activity, or simply ask for assistance. The only way that happens is by working together. A big part of my philosophy is building genuine relationships with our residents. We want people to understand what our job is, and we also want them to understand that solving problems is a shared responsibility.

That’s one reason we’ve spent so much time educating the public about immigration enforcement. We know it’s a sensitive topic, and we want our community to understand that the Glendale Police Department does not enforce immigration laws. We don’t want anyone to hesitate to call us, regardless of their immigration status, because they’re afraid they could get into trouble or be detained. We want every resident to feel safe contacting the police whenever they need help or witness a crime.

Over the years, we’ve learned that trust is built through personal relationships. You have to meet people where they are, work alongside them, and open your doors to the community. We strive to be transparent in everything we do. Our website provides information about our programs, policies, and services, and while certain investigations must remain confidential, we operate as openly as possible.

Conversations like this one are an important part of that effort. Today I’m sharing my philosophy and vision for public safety, but residents don’t have to speak just with the Chief. Every officer in our department should be approachable, willing to listen, and ready to engage with the community. We want people to know they’ll be treated with respect and met with professionalism. Our philosophy is simple: be open, be accessible, and build trust. That’s what we expect of every member of the Glendale Police Department, and we hope the community will continue to work alongside us as our partners in keeping Glendale safe.

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