News in Brief: New police lieutenant sworn in Thursday

The UC Davis Police Department (UCDPD) welcomed Lt. Gregory Murphy Thursday night as he was sworn in during a badge-pinning ceremony.

Murphy participated in a community-based hiring process, according to UC Davis Police Chief Matthew Carmichael.

“This process is unlike any other as new employees are selected with major input from the community. With the strong support of community members such as the GSA, ASUCD, Academic Senate and community members at large, I have found to date, this process is working,” Carmichael said.

Patrick Sheehan, a third-year computer science major and former ASUCD senator, said that he saw this event as a symbol of the police department’s progress.

“It’s nice to see that the UCDPD, under the lead of a new police chief, has actually taken community input and turned it into substantive changes in department policy. Positive changes should be celebrated and displayed to the campus community and that was the essence of Thursday’s event,” Sheehan said.

The first class of student cadets from the Volunteers In Police Services (VIPS) Cadet Program were also sworn in Thursday.

UC Davis students who are part of the VIPS Cadet Program are seniors who are interested in careers in law enforcement. The program is a scholarship competition that offers training to the students and gives them experience in the field.

At the end of the program the top three graduates will be given a scholarship to attend any police academy they want in California, and the top graduate will be considered for hire to a position with the UCDPD.

Carmichael also reflected on the event during his closing remarks.

“UC Davis is an amazing community and this swearing-in ceremony demonstrated the commitment of many to work together in a collaborative spirit to keep our campus safe,” he said.

For more information on the cadet program or to learn more about the UC Davis Police Department, visit their website at police.ucdavis.edu.

– Sasha Cotterell and Kelley Drechsler