Jeff Glover, a former Tempe Police commander, was named as the city’s interim police chief, on Wednesday. Glover is replacing Police Chief Sylvia Moir, who is stepping down.
Moir is expected to leave the position in October. Glover, who had 20-year career with the Tempe Police Department before his retirement in February is expected to stay in the Chief’s position at least until October 2021.
Glover will be the city’s first African American police chief.
According to the Tempe City Charter, it is the City Manager who has ultimate hiring authority for city employees, including hiring and management of the role of Police Chief. The City Council, according to the Charter, has no authority in any hiring and management decisions, except for the appointed employee roles of City Manager, City Attorney, City Clerk and Presiding Judge.
“Jeff is a consummate professional who has impressive public safety credentials and experience, is well respected by residents and peers, and has a unique ability to collaborate and bring people together,” Ching said. “I look forward to working with him and seeing what he brings to the Tempe Police Department.”
Since June 2018, Glover has served as a Governor-appointed Commissioner on the Arizona Commission for African American Affairs. He also has served as a national board member and Arizona chapter member for the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE).
Glover said that he admires and thanks the sworn and civilian professionals of the Tempe Police Department for their dedication and commitment to protecting the community.
“This is an incredible moment and opportunity for me to contribute to the department and the city I love so much,” Glover said. “My professional life has been about serving others and I want to once again bring my passion for service to this community and to my Tempe Police sisters and brothers. We can and will rise to this occasion and will work together to hear and implement what our community expects from policing in this new day.”