Six weeks into tenure, Jay Murphy reflects on new role as Beatrice police chief

BEATRICE, Neb. - Beatrice's new leader of the police force is off and running in his new role. 

Jay Murphy was named Beatrice Police Chief on April 21 and entered the job with 35 years of experience at the department. He also had recently spent time as the interim chief, something he says helped make the transition a smooth one. 

"A ton," Murphy said. "I went into it not knowing exactly what to expect, but the good thing is, I've been at the department for 35 years and had a good sense of what I needed to do."

Murphy says the biggest accomplishment of his first six weeks as chief is getting the department fully staffed. In addition, Murphy's working on grants to get more technology in department squad cars and works to continue to raise money for Project Lifesaver, a rapid-response program that uses radio frequency technology to recover individuals with Alzheimer's or autism through a band on their wrist. 

Murphy's overall vision for the department is to keep officers happy and enjoying the work they do. 

"I think that just makes for a great place," Murphy said. "That goes for a police department, a radio station, anywhere.... My vision is to get the guys and gals the things they want to use, that they need, and to be happy to come to work."