Downey Police Department - Lt. Murray
by Lorine Parks
“Being a cop won’t make you rich, but you can provide for your family. And it’s rewarding and different every day.”
So said Lieutenant Leslie Murray of the Command Staff of the Downey Police Department, Field Operations Division. Small and trim but mighty because of training in techniques such as the choke hold, Lieutenant Murray began her career with the Downey Police Department in August 1990 when she was hired as a police officer recruit, and she proudly wears five gold stars embroidered on her uniform sleeve, each star denoting five years service. “I’m working on my sixth,” she said.
Lt. Murray attended the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Academy and after graduating, worked as a patrol officer. During her tenure, Leslie also worked as a Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Investigator and the Department’s Training Coordinator and Community Relations Officer. In January 2000, Leslie promoted to Sergeant and was assigned to Field Operations. In 2005, Leslie took over the supervision of the Property Crimes section of the Detective Division.
In October 2008, Leslie was promoted to her current rank of Lieutenant and returned to Field Operations as a Watch Commander, providing general oversight for patrol personnel. Recently, she became the Administrative Lieutenant and is responsible for the Records, Neighborhood Watch, Neighborhood Preservation, Explorers, Range Staff, Use of Force Staff, and Professional Standards; which includes the hiring and training of Department personnel and Internal Affairs.
During her time with the Department, Leslie has had oversight of the Department’s Field Training Program, Jail Operations and School Resource Program. She also developed and has managed the Department’s Crime Impact Team and Peer Support Program.
During this busy career Lesley found the time to get married, and she and her husband of twenty years, Daniel have four children. Leslie enjoys cooking and spending time with her family. To be a police officer, she says, one must be able to make decisions quickly, and yet be able to show restraint, and have empathy for the people you are dealing with.
Leslie is a graduate of the Sherman Block Leadership Institute. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Sociology and her Master’s degree in Public Administration from California State University at Long Beach.
She says she has noticed that there is more respect for law enforcement on the West Coast than on the East or in the Midwest. The Downey P. D. has an anti-gang squad which is an important part of the G.O.O.D. program (Gangs Out Of Downey), and she attributes the shut-down on gangs in Downey to the way the Police Department works closely with other aspects of the community here.
When asked to comment on how to prevent a burglary, when one is going on an extended vacation, she listed first, call the Police Department and let them know you will be away. Have a burglar alarm, interior lights on a timer, and stop all newspapers and mail. Do not post scenic shots on Facebook about where you have gone, until your return.
Best of all, to stop thieves, if there’s a Neighborhood Watch on your street, alert them, and let the neighbors know. “That’s how we catch them,” she said.