On Thursday, October 19, at 5:30p.m., the Columbia Police Department held a Promotional Ceremony to recognize two officers that have achieved new ranks. Lieutenant John P. Williams has been promoted to the rank of captain and Sergeant Paul T. Blendowski has been promoted to the rank of lieutenant.
John “J.P.” Williams has been a resident of Columbia, SC for 27 years. He was a student at the University of South Carolina when he decided to pursue a law enforcement career. On January 8, 1996, J.P. began his career with the Columbia Police Department working in North and Metro Regions in the patrol division. While at Metro Region, J.P. accepted a position in Organized Crime/Narcotics (OCN) under the Criminal Investigation Division (CID). During his time in OCN, he also joined the S.W.A.T. team, earning a spot as an entry operator.
In 2009, J.P. was promoted to Investigator, two years later he was promoted to Sergeant in the South Region’s Patrol Division and then returned to CID as a sergeant.
In July 2012, J.P. was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant and assigned as the executive officer (XO) in CID. Soon after, he was also appointed Team Leader of the S.W.A.T. Entry Team. It was at this time J.P. decided he should seek out further education and leadership training. He is currently pursuing his Bachelor’s degree from Columbia College and has recently completed FBI-LEEDA Carolina Command College, FBI-LEEDA Command Leadership and FBI-LEEDA Executive Leadership Institute.
Prior to his promotion, J.P. was assigned as the Lieutenant and XO in the South Region and is the decentralized S.W.A.T. Team Commander.
Paul “P.J.” Blendowski grew up in Syracuse, New York and moved to Columbia, SC in 1998 to attend the University of South Carolina.
Upon earning his Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice, P.J. began his Law Enforcement career with the Columbia Police Department in 2002 where he was assigned to the North Region.
In 2004, he obtained a position on the K-9 Team where he was assigned his first patrol dog. P.J. was promoted to the rank of corporal in 2005, where he was briefly assigned to the West Region before being transferred to the North Region Community Response Team.
In 2009, P.J. was promoted to the rank of sergeant and remained in the North Region until 2011, when he was transferred to the Special Operations Division. While assigned to Special Operations, P.J. served as the K-9 Supervisor, handler and K-9 trainer for the department.
Earlier this month, P.J. joined several of his peers in earning an exclusive designation as an FBI trilogy award recipient. The FBI trilogy award is presented to the law enforcement officers who complete the FBI law enforcement executive development program consisting of the Supervisor Leadership Institute, Command Leadership Institute and Executive Leadership Institute.
“J.P. and P.J. have both demonstrated a significant commitment to their professional leadership and development,” stated Police Chief Skip Holbrook. “I think they each, thus far, have had well rounded careers and represent an exceptional body of work history and accomplishment.”
Captain J.P. Williams will assume command of south region and Lieutenant P.J. Blendowski will be assigned as Watch Commander effective Saturday, October 21.
Captain J.P. Williams, Chief Skip Holbrook and Lieutenant P.J. Blendowski