Sgt. Williamson to retire from UCF Police Department

Sgt. Troy Williamson is retiring from the UCF Police Department after 28 years of dedicated service. Having just won a lifetime achievement award at the 15th annual Law Enforcement Officers Awards in May, Williamson has many people wondering where he will go and what he will do next.

However, Williamson assures that he will not be going anywhere right away. He said he feels the need to be thorough in completing the task at hand, even now when that task is leaving a job after nearly three decades of service.

It was difficult for Williamson to put in words his reason for retiring, but he said he felt it was the right time.

“There’s definitely some unfinished business I need to take care of," Williamson said. "I essentially will be on reserve status here at UCF for a couple months. I don’t want to leave the department a mess and just walk out the door. I want everything to be in order for the next person who comes in to take my position.”

Williamson is well known by many, including UCF students and faculty members as well as area businesses, for his position as community relations supervisor for the UCF Police.

“It’s a great thing that people, both in and out of law enforcement, know who he is just when they hear the name ‘Troy,’” said Maj. Randall Mingo of the UCF Police Department. “I’ve worked with Sgt. Williamson for 24 1/2 years. I’ve known him a long time. I have supervised and managed him. I have known him both personally and professionally, which is why I nominated him for the lifetime achievement award.”

The lifetime achievement award requires at least 25 years in law enforcement with a positive progression shown throughout the career, Mingo said.

“He is also an accomplished writer with the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administration," Mingo said. "Troy was a contributing editor for that for years.”

Another member of the UCF police force, police Detective Eric Walton, says he has worked with Williamson for almost 20 years.

“He was the sergeant when I got here,” Walton said. “I’ll miss his excitement over traffic.”

So what is next for Williamson? Will he retire from law enforcement completely? Again, Williamson assured that he wouldn’t be going anywhere anytime soon.

“I will stay in the Orlando area. I’m from Tampa, but I own a house here. I’m not planning on moving anywhere. I live in Seminole County so I am getting in touch with their department to inquire about working with them on a reserve status once I am finished here at UCF,” Williamson said. “I’m not going to be a stranger. I’ll be around.”

Williamson says he is proud of what he has accomplished at UCF. As a spokesman for the campus police department, he has interacted with the students and faculty on a steady basis over the years. He recalled a time when he had pulled over a student for speeding. While writing out the ticket, he noticed someone on a bicycle randomly stop to take a picture of him. This was just one memory that exemplified his reputation as one of the most well-known officers on campus.

Williamson is used to the limelight, however, as he is so often approached by students and staff for information and interviews.

“It’s been great working with the school paper and helping with interviews," Williamson said. "Right now I am juggling phone calls from two writers and a photographer.”

Williamson is proud of UCF’s approach to encourage students to take matters into their own hands to keep themselves safe. He said the anti-theft program that allows students to register property with police so that it can be tracked down if stolen is a great accomplishment.

“With as long as I have been in this police department, I have to think about my past and current coworkers as well as the other people I have met over 28 years. … I want to make sure all the students and the staff here continue to stay safe and stay vigilant,” Williamson said.