El Cerrito Police Chief Leaving Job

EL CERRITO, CA - El Cerrito is matching neighboring Richmond in having its police chief leave for a top cop role in Arizona.

El Cerrito police Chief Sylvia Moir was selected to be the new police chief in Tempe, Arizona, marking the second recent Contra Costa County top cop position vacated for an Arizona role. Richmond police Chief Chris Magnus announced in November he was taking the chief slot in Tucson.

Moir’s move comes after spending more than five years at the El Cerrito Police Department.

She was formerly a Menlo Park police commander for nearly two years and served in various roles for Sacramento police for about 18 years before that.

Andrew Ching, Tempe’s city manager, said in a statement that he’s confident that Moir’s 26 years of experience make her the right fit for the job.

“She will collaborate internally and externally to help us realize the full potential for policing in Tempe, and will do so always in the community’s best interest,” Ching said.

The city is a massive step up in population from El Cerrito. According to 2010 census data, El Cerrito had 23,549 residents, while Tempe had 161,719.

According to city records, El Cerrito police had 46 sworn officers in 2010, while Tempe police had more than 400.

Tempe began searching for a new police chief following the retirement of its former chief, Tom Tyff, on Dec. 1, according to city officials.

After being appointed to the role, Moir now has to be certified as a peace officer in Arizona, city officials said. She’s expected to start in the Tempe role on March 21.

“I am excited and honored to join the Tempe team,” Moir said in a statement. “To build upon the tradition of superb policing that Tempe is known for, promoting positive organization change and strengthening our partnerships will be my immediate focus.”

--Bay City News; Photo via City of El Cerrito