Crime & Safety
Chief of Police Appointed in Upper Moreland
S. Michael Murphy was named the township's Chief of Police after serving for the Upper Dublin and Warminster Police Departments.
Upper Moreland Commissioners unanimously appointed S. Michael Murphy as the township's new Chief of Police at Monday night's board meeting.
Murphy will officially begin his service on April 29. He takes over the vacant spot left by Chief Thomas Nestel III, who left the township in August. Police Chief Lt. Alex Levy served as the Acting Police Chief.
Murphy began his career with the Upper Dublin Township Police Department in 1979. He spent 26 years in Upper Dublin before he was named Chief of Police of Warminster Township.
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"He brings a wealth of experience to this position," Upper Moreland President R. Samuel Valenza said. "Chief Murphy moved up the ranks as Sergeant, Acting Patrol Commander, Deputy Chief of Police Operations and then finally Deputy Chief."
He earned the Pennsylvania of Law Enforcement Accreditation in July 2008, and was re-accredited in May 2011.
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Murphy has a stellar resume where he is an active member of the FBI National Academy Associates, International Association of Chiefs of Police, PA Chief of Police Association, Police Chiefs Association of Southeastern Pennsylvania and Delaware Valley Association of Police Officials.
Murphy graduated from St. Joseph's University where he earned his Masters in Public Safety in Homeland Security and his Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice Administration.
"We welcome him to Upper Moreland Township with great pleasure," Valenza said.
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