Sylvia Moir, Tempe’s first-ever female police chief, announced her resignation Tuesday after serving four years in the position.
City Manager Andrew Ching will appoint an interim police chief in the coming days, according to a press release from the City of Tempe. Moir will serve her last day on Oct. 25.
“Chief Moir has dedicated her professional life to Tempe for nearly five years,” Ching said in the press release. “That time and care devoted to our community is deserving of sincere thanks. I am grateful for her service to the Tempe Police Department.”
In an interview with The Arizona Republic, Ching said her resignation came as a result of conversations about the future of the police department.
"We’re at a very crucial time in our society. The focus on social justice and systemic racism, especially as it applies to the police department, — not just here, but nationwide — is a significant topic of concern for myself," he told The Republic. "We have made a lot of progress but we have a lot of work to do and that work should be carried out by the next (police chief)."
The press release did not specify any reasoning for Moir's resignation and the Tempe Police Department's media contact did not respond to requests for comment from The State Press.
Tempe Mayor Corey Woods said in the press release he looks forward to partnering with Ching and the Tempe City Council to fill the interim and permanent police chief roles.
"Chief Moir served the residents of Tempe well,” Woods wrote. “She cares deeply for our community members and Tempe Police employees, and she has worked tirelessly to move our department forward. I have truly enjoyed working with her and wish her all the best.”
Woods, who was sworn into office in July, has said some of his commitments as mayor are to gather community input on police reform and examine the police department's functions at the community level.
In August, Woods established the Public Safety Advisory Board, a task force with the purpose of identifying and implementing proactive policies to build trust between the police department and community members.
"The City Council and I look forward to partnering with the City Manager during this transition as he works to select our interim and permanent police leadership," Woods said in the press release.
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