Murrieta police Chief Anthony “Tony” Conrad announced Monday he will retire at the end of the year.
Conrad, who started his law enforcement career close to 30 years ago, will be officially concluding his duties as Murrieta’s top cop on Dec. 30.
He has been at the helm since December 2020.
“Chief Conrad has built a well-respected, community-focused and forward-thinking department that utilizes new technology and resources to remain trustworthy to residents,” City Manager Kim Summers said. “I am sad to see Chief Conrad leave, but I thank him for his years of service and ensuring Murrieta remains one of the safest cities in the nation.”
He began his career as a peace officer in February 1995, when he was sworn in as a patrolman with the San Diego Police Department. He remained with SDPD until 2003, when he responded to a Murrieta Police Department advertisement seeking lateral transfers, or sworn personnel from other departments, to fill the ranks. He was hired in November of that year by MPD.
Conrad said it was what he had planned for a while, given that he resided in southwest Riverside County.
The career lawman wore a number of hats in MPD, serving in patrol, investigations, SWAT, administration and communications, where he was the principal public information officer interacting with media for years. During his time in that role, Conrad was among the most responsive law enforcement PIOs countywide.
Summers said she will appoint a new chief from among the police department’s captains in the next couple of months.