Mayor Tim Kelly made history in Chattanooga last week by appointing Celeste Murphy the next police chief for the city.
If confirmed by the city council, Murphy will not only be the first woman, but also the first Black woman to lead the department. Her selection came during Black History Month and on the eve of Women’s History Month.
The 26-year veteran of the Atlanta Police Department began her career in corrections and in 1997 began working as a patrol officer. A few of the roles she’s had while at the department include night commander, major, investigative work with the narcotics unit and lieutenant for the criminal investigation division’s special victims unit.
Murphy spoke to the Times Free Press on Monday about what’s to come during her time as chief of police for Chattanooga.
Q: You have been quoted in several articles saying that “we are going to expose the humanity in each other and by embracing what we have in common?” How are we going to do that?