Tempe police's newest chief is coming to Arizona from California.
Tempe City Manager Andrew Ching said Friday that Sylvia Moir would lead the department following the retirement of former chief Tom Ryff who left in December.
Moir is currently the police chief in El Cerrito, California. She's been in that position since 2010, according to a media release.
She will start with the Tempe Police Department on March 21. She still has to be certified as a peace officer in Arizona.
“Chief Moir distinguished herself through an exhaustive interview process for her intellect, judgment, compassion, enthusiasm and ability to engage employees and community members,” Ching, in a prepared statement, said. “I am confident that her 26 years of law enforcement experience will serve Tempe well, allow for a seamless transition in leadership, and move our department forward.”
Moir received a Master of Arts in Organizational Management from the University of Phoenix. She will be awarded a Master of Arts in Homeland Security and Defense in March from the Naval Postgraduate School, according to the release.
“I am excited and honored to join the Tempe team,” Moir said in the release. “To build upon the tradition of superb policing that Tempe is known for, promoting positive organizational change and strengthening our partnerships will be my immediate focus.”
This is the first external police chief hire for the department since 1968.
