Alan Murphy will take over as Medicine Hat Police Service chief on Jan. 1.--NEWS PHOTO KENDALL KING
kking@medicinehatnews.com
Medicine Hat Police Service interim chief Alan Murphy is excited to move into the role permanently beginning Jan. 1.
A 27-year veteran of the Edmonton Police Service, serving as deputy police chief for the past four years, Murphy came to Medicine Hat for the first time in October to take over as interim chief until a permanent chief was hired. However, Murphy says upon arriving, he fell in love with the city, the service and the community, and decided to submit an application for the full-time position.
“I didn’t come here to be the chief,” said Murphy, sharing that when first asked if he would like to order a Chief of Police cap and uniform for public appearances as interim chief, he declined, believing the expense not necessary for a less-than-three-month term.
“I was just here to prepare the next chief to hit the ground running; but that ends up being me all of a sudden,” he laughed “So, I’m as surprised as folks are now.”
In a statement released Monday, Medicine Hat’s police commission chair Ted Rodych said Murphy was recommended by the commission because of his skill set and approach to policing.
Murphy believes one quality which may have set his application apart from other candidates is his experience-based understanding of frontline operations, as well as bureaucratic operations.
“As the deputy chief in Edmonton, I was in charge of the Community Policing Bureau (which oversees) frontline patrol operations, investigations and crime disruption, and dealing with those things in the community,” said Murphy. “I’ve (also) been in charge of the Corporate Services Bureau. So, that’s all things finance, human resources, procurement, training, recruiting and a lot of strategic issues.”
Other qualities Murphy feels he brings to the role are impartiality and open-mindedness toward an array of perspectives, both from service members and the community.
“I’m not from here,” said Murphy. “So I don’t have any bias here inside or outside the organization. And I’m going to give a fair shot to everybody.”
Open communication, Murphy says, will be at the forefront of his tenure, as he feels communication allows for better understanding of different groups within the community and helps facilitate positive interactions between police and those they serve
“I think policing, historically, has told communities what they’re going to get from the police; but I think we need to change the narrative a bit on that,” said Murphy. “I think, policing going forward and the future of it (relies on) getting out in (different groups within the community) and asking what they actually need from us, because that changes over time (and) not everybody’s looking for the same thing.
“So, I’ve got a lot of listening and learning to do. And I think that’s the biggest thing I can do to do a good job here.”
Murphy plans to continue to develop goals for the service through communication with service members, the police commission and community groups, but says one of his priorities as chief will be to review and enhance the service’s approach to vulnerable populations – especially those within or near to the downtown. And he looks forward to presenting such to the community once he officially becomes Chief of Police in January.
In the meantime, Murphy continues to explore and learn about Medicine Hat, and is preparing for his family to join him, come the new year.
