William Castro, Lawrence Police Department Acting Chief of Police

By Dalia Díaz

William Castro is an accomplished public safety professional, with over 25 years of Law Enforcement experience. William is a Springfield College graduate with a supportive human service, Criminal Justice background, and is MPTC Post Certified. William has a participatory leadership style prepared to introduce new concepts and strategies focusing on transparency, diversity, community engagement, fair practice, and police reform.

William began his Law Enforcement career in 1996 with the Haverhill Police Department as an Auxiliary Officer, where he earned the rank of Sergeant.

In 1999, William began his career as a Deputy Sheriff at Essex County’s Middleton House of Corrections where in 2002; he earned the rank of Sergeant, becoming the first Latino in the history of the department to earn such rank. William was a supervisor and a member of the Sheriff’s Department Tactical and Warrant Apprehension Team.

In 2005, William was promoted to the Sheriff’s Department Investigations Division, and subsequently assigned to the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division Mobile Enforcement Unit, as a Task Force Agent.

In 2005, William was also assigned to the Methuen Police Department Drug and Gang Units, where he has been serving until present with qualified and certified police power. Since joining these agencies, William has worked side by side with local, State, and Federal Law Enforcement Agencies to target crime and reduce violence in our communities. William has been instrumental in targeting the opioid crisis, a problem that continues to affect the quality of life in our cities.

Through William Castro’s Law Enforcement career, he has received three lifesaving commendations, along with many other distinguished awards, including four appointments by the Department of Justice.

In 2023 William became Lawrence City Mayor Brian A. DePeña’s Chief of Staff, where he was responsible for managing the daily operations of the Mayor’s office and served as a critical member of his team, playing an essential role as a liaison between the Mayor’s office, and other city officials including department heads, city council members, Police Department and community stakeholders. William was responsible for assisting the Mayor in managing and overseeing the Mayor’s budget ensuring operation within its allocated funds.

William has great experience working with individuals from diverse ethnic backgrounds, the ability to communicate effectively across a multicultural environment, and supervisory and management skill makes him a great asset to the Lawrence Police Department. Respect and Professionalism are the qualities that William Castro reflects.