Marple Police Chief Sworn In as President of Delco Police Chiefs

BROOMALL–Marple Township Police Chief Tom Murray adds another hat to his collection of leadership roles as the president of the Delaware County Police Chiefs Association. 

Murray was sworn in at the association's ceremony last month at the Springfield Country Club. 

Murray is the first Marple police chief since G. Lester Downs, who headed the group in 1957-58, reports the Delco News Network. 

The Delaware County Police Chiefs Association began as a fraternal organization that was founded in the early 1930s and has maintained the camaraderie while expanding its role, according to the Delco News Network. The following departments are also part of the county police chiefs association: police chiefs from Delaware County's 41 municipal police departments, county park police, county sheriff, Delaware County District Attorney and local FBI office, according to the Delco News Network.

"The departments use the network to disseminate information on individuals and situations, train members, share information and uphold standards among departments," states the Delco News Network.

During Murray's term, he hopes to focus on several important issues, including: the association's stance on gun control and gun violence and establishing a a child abduction response team (CART), according to the Delco News Network.

Murray was hired as a patrol officer on Sept. 4, 1979, promoted to sergeant in 1992 and was named a lieutenant in 2002, reports the Delco News Network. He was appointed acting chief in April 2004 during a medical leave for then-Chief Frank Dunn, according to the Delco News Network, taking the oath of office for his current post as Chief of Police in January 2005. 

Murray also serves as the Broomall Fire Co.'s assistant chief. He has been serving as a firefighter for the company for more than 40 years.