Yes, ma’am! Tempe names Sylvia Moir new police chief
Jan 29, 2016, 2:36 PM
Sylvia Moir (El Cerrito Police Department Photo)
(El Cerrito Police Department Photo)
PHOENIX — The city of Tempe hired a new police chief on Friday.
Lt. Mike Pooley said the city chose Sylvia Moir, who is currently head of the El Cerrito Police Department in the Bay Area of California.
“The city manager, the city council and the city as a whole have a lot of hope for what Chief Moir will bring to the job,” city spokewoman Nikki Ridley said.
Moir will replace former Tempe Police Chief Tom Ryff, who retired in June last year. His last day was Dec. 1.
“She’s got a 26-year background in law enforcement and she was an excellent candidate,” Ripley said.
A biography on El Cerrito’s website said she joined that department as chief in 2010 after spending 19 years with the Sacramento Police Department.
Moir served in a variety of departments and roles in the state’s capitol, including running specialized units, recruit trainer and member of the department’s honor guard.
“She’s a leader among California police chiefs,” Ripley said.
Moir served on a special commission for police officer training in California. She and 15 others were hand-picked by Gov. Jerry Brown.
The incoming chief attended California State-Sacramento, where she earned a degree in criminal justice. She later received her masters in organizational management.
Moir is expected to start March 21.
KTAR’s Lauren Grifo contributed to this report.
