Capt. Marvin Moore, an officer in the Department of Public Safety for 27 years, will become the university's fifth police chief May 1, the president's office has announced.

Moore, 50, was named acting chief March 1. Marvin Herrington, Stanford's chief for 30 years, will retire April 30 and remain on the force during a two-month transition period.

“[Moore] is an excellent selection for chief,” said Risk Management Director Jeffrey Seilbach, who is responsible for the department. “We thought we needed the stability of someone who had a track record. The consensus was that he was very capable. He has an excellent reputation with all law enforcement agencies he has come into contact with.”

Moore was selected by a panel named by President John Hennessy and headed by Seilbach that included Jeff Wachtel, special assistant to the president and provost; psychology Professor Ewart Thomas; ADA Compliance Officer Rosa Gonzalez; Santa Clara County Sheriff Laurie Smith; and Board of Trustees member David Laney. Richard Zarzana, a retired U.S. Secret Service Agent, and Howard Morioka, a retired special agent for the Federal Bureau of Investigation, also participated in reviewing Moore's credentials.

“I really feel positive about this promotion,” Herrington said. “I've been trying to groom him for many years. [In the past,] he was acting chief when I was out of town. Absolutely, he has the skills to do the job well.”

Moore, a native of Birmingham, Ala., moved with his family to East Palo Alto in 1962 and graduated from Ravenswood High School in 1967. He earned his bachelor's degree in sociology from Southern Oregon College in Ashland and his master's in public administration from San Jose State University. In 1973, Moore joined the police department as a deputy. He was promoted to sergeant in 1976, to lieutenant in 1978 and was named a captain in 1981.

“This is the best law enforcement job in the whole world,” Moore said. “I enjoy the variety and spontaneity of the job. You never know what's going to happen in any law enforcement job; but here the variable may be the president of the United States or a foreign dignitary just dropping by. We have a unique population. Our motto is to provide the best service and to be a reliable resource to the community.”

Moore said his leadership of the department will maintain the same course of direction as under Herrington. The department includes 34 sworn officers and about 30 support personnel, including community service officers, clerical staff and a ranger.

Moore said his greatest challenge will be to recruit officers. In recent years, all Bay Area law enforcement agencies have faced difficulties hiring officers because of the rising cost of living. Beyond that, Moore said, it takes a special type of officer to work in a large, diverse university community. “We're not just law enforcement officers; we're resolution oriented,” he said. “We need people who can interpret the spirit of the law as well as the letter of the law.”