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Dustin Luca
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SALEM, MASS. – The first woman to lead public safety at Salem State University will be ceremonially sworn in at a ceremony to be held Tuesday, Sept. 24.
Trish Murphy ’06, a prior campus officer from 2008 to 2013, began her role as executive director of public safety and chief of police on June 16. She will be sworn in by Essex County District Attorney Paul Tucker at the Sophia Gordon Center for Creative and Performing Arts, 352 Lafayette St., Salem.
While she’s the first woman to occupy the role in the university’s history, she’s far from the first woman in her family to move through Salem State, she explained.
“I’m actually a fourth-generation graduate of Salem State – my great-grandmother, grandmother, mom, and now me,” Murphy said, recalling the time she spent as a child on campus. “As a child, I would come to Salem State’s athletic events and participate in various camps.”
Murphy holds a bachelor’s degree in communications, earned at Salem State in 2006, and a master’s in project management completed at Boston University this past summer. She has also served both schools’ police forces, being an officer at Salem State from 2008 to 2013 and Boston University first as a patrol officer from 2013 to 2018.
After graduating from Salem State in 2006 with her communications degree, Murphy landed a job in the diversion wing of the Essex County District Attorney’s office. That change in career trajectory stuck, as Murphy then served 10 years as a patrol officer on Salem State and Boston University’s campus police forces.
In 2018, Murphy was promoted to sergeant at Boston University, and then lieutenant, as she took over accreditation and training coordination duties among other responsibilities alongside the completion of her master’s work on campus.
“My time spent at BU provided me with growth opportunities both professionally and in the classroom,” Murphy said, explaining that the diversity of the community helped her focus on international communication styles. “By engaging in conversations and studying alongside the student population, I gained valuable insights into diverse experiences and perspectives. I look forward to bringing this understanding with me to Salem State.”
News of Murphy’s appointment to the chief position came as the department celebrated its lone woman officer at the time, Sgt. Christine DeFelice, and her naming as an award recipient by the Massachusetts Association of Women in Law Enforcement.
“We are lucky to have Salem State alumna Trish Murphy step into the chief of police role, becoming the first female to hold this, or a similar role at Salem State,” President John D. Keenan said. “With her experience as a Salem State police officer from 2008-2013 and first-hand knowledge of the campus and connection to the community, I am confident she will guide the department in making the right decisions and in being prepared for what lies ahead. With her expertise, we will be ready to make the necessary investments and changes required to continuously support our ever-evolving campus and community.”
Robert Lowe, Boston University police chief, said the department congratulates Murphy in her return to Salem State.
“Chief Murphy demonstrated her commitment to improving our profession and our organization throughout her career. As the commanding officer of the Training and Certification unit, Chief Murphy oversaw many initiatives to bring best police practices to our department,” Lowe said. “Most notably, Chief Murphy led the initiative for our department to receive and maintain accreditation by the Massachusetts Police Accreditation Commission.
“We are grateful for Chief Murphy’s leadership and dedicated service to the Boston University community,” Lowe continued. “Chief Murphy’s leadership will be a valuable contribution to the Salem State Police Department and the Salem State community. We wish Chief Murphy all the best and continued success at the Salem State Police Department.”