Salinas, CA – Interim City Manager Jim Pia has announced John Murray as Salinas’ next Assistant Chief of Police, effective Monday, January 29, 2024. Chief Murray has served the Salinas community for over 27 years with the Salinas Police Department (SPD), most recently as a Commander in the Field Operations Division. He is a longtime resident and has lived in Salinas for over 32 years.

“Salinas is my community and my home, and I’m truly humbled to have the opportunity to serve my community as the Assistant Police Chief,” said Chief Murray. “This is both an honor and a great responsibility, and I’m committed to serving the City of Salinas and the men and women of the Salinas Police Department.”

During his career with SPD, Chief Murray has held the rank of officer, sergeant, and commander, serving in multiple capacities including Patrol Officer, Field Training Officer, Recruit Training Officer at the academy, and served in special assignments including the Violence Suppression Unit, Narcotics/Vice Unit, Investigations Bureau, and the Administration Division. He served 16 years on the SWAT team, with 8 years as Team Leader and 4 years as SWAT Commander and held collateral duties including Firearms Instructor, Officer Safety Instructor, Critical Incident Stress Management Team, and Terrorism Liaison.

“This is an important time for our Police Service, especially with two executive vacancies in the Department,” said Interim City Manager Jim Pia. “I’m confident in Chief Murray’s ability to lead the Department. He cares deeply for our community and has demonstrated that through his commitment to our city and the Department for almost three decades.”

Chief Murray is an immigrant originally from Belfast, Northern Ireland. His family immigrated to the United States and settled in Monterey County in 1981. After four years in the U.S. Air Force military police, Chief Murry joined SPD. He holds a BA in Management from Saint Mary’s College and Master’s in Homeland Security from the Naval Postgraduate School Center for Homeland Defense and Security. He is also a 2022 graduate of the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF) Senior Management Institute for Policing and 2022 graduate of the FBI National Academy (Class #284).

The recruitment for Assistant Chief of Police opened on December 1st, and interviews were held in mid-January as part of a nationwide search. As Assistant Chief, he will serve as Acting Police Chief until the next Chief of Police has been hired.