TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) - Sylvia Moir, the first female police chief in Tempe, Arizona, is stepping down next month after more than four years on the job, city officials announced Tuesday.
The reason for her departure wasn’t disclosed, but City Manager Andrew Ching said he had been in talks with Moir about her departure over the past few months.
“I think she’s done some really good work here as police chief,” Ching told Phoenix radio station KTAR FM. “I feel like new leadership is needed to do a lot of the things that need to be done over the next weeks, months and even years with policing in Tempe.”
Tempe Mayor Corey Woods said he appreciates Moir’s contributions to the city and to police agency collaboration regionally. He previously announced he will convene a new Public Safety Advisory Board this fall.
He said it will include a wide representation of community members and will examine data, policies, hiring, use of technologies, training, and how the city engages with minorities and those with mental health challenges.
Ching said he intends to appoint an interim police chief soon.
Moir was Tempe’s first police chief hired from outside the department in nearly 50 years when she got the job in 2016. Her resignation is effective Oct. 25.
The California native spent six years as El Cerrito’s police chief before coming to Tempe.
Moir served multiple roles with the Sacramento Police Department prior to the El Cerrito job.
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