Joe Molloy Award

~ Dedicated to Law Enforcement Excellence ~ “There is no problem that
is so insurmountable that we can not sit down and talk about it. The problem is
having preconceived ideas that people are wrong and your mind is made up. Sit down
with your employees and have dialogue. Personally and philosophically you may not
agree with them, but the way they present their facts may make sense. You can’t
always have it your way. No matter what position you are in, you have to be able
to compromise.” “This department needs dynamic supervisors who are motivated
and have an abundance of enthusiasm. My career is slowly coming to an end. When
I go out, I’m going out with the same enthusiasm as I had when I came in. I feel
good about this job; I have had a marvelous career. I’ve met fabulous people who
have become life-long friends; it’s been thirty years of absolute fun. If I had
it to do it over again, I probably would not change a thing.”

A dear colleague, contributor and friend to law enforcement died unexpectedly while in his office at the Anaheim Police Department on July 27, 1993. The passing of Chief Joseph Thomas Molloy, “Joe” to those who knew him, left an undeniable void in the lives of many, especially his family and fellow Police Chiefs who loved him, worked with him, admired and respected him. Joe was the 1st Vice President of the California Police Chiefs Association at the time of his untimely passing. At the Executive Board Meeting immediately following his death, it was the unanimous decision of the Board of Directors to create the annual “Joseph T. Molloy Award” in honor of Joe and in recognition of professionalism and dedication among our ranks. A Policy Statement was adopted and the first “Joseph T. Molloy Award” was presented at the Association’s annual conference in Monterey in February 1994. In the August, 1993 edition of the Association’s Newsletter, Mr. Rodney Pierini, the Executive Director of CPCA at that time, wrote a cover page article on the loss of Joe and included a special poem dedicated to his memory:

Joseph Molloy began his law enforcement career as a Reserve Police Officer with
the Monterey Park Police Department in 1962. He became a full time Police Officer
with the Azusa Police Department in 1964, where he remained until 1977. While at
Azusa, he served as a Detective, Sergeant and Lieutenant. While Joe enjoyed the
challenges of supervision and leadership, he would tell you that his passion was
working in the field as a narcotics investigator. He would often keep fellow chiefs
mesmerized with his colorful stories as an undercover “narc.” In 1977, Joe went
to the Culver City Police Department as a Captain where he commanded the Administrative,
Detective and Operations Divisions. He aspired to become a Police Chief and, in
1980, became the Chief of Police for the City of Alhambra. In 1985, he was once
again promoted to Alhambra’s Director of Public Safety in charge of the Police and
Fire Departments. Finally, in 1988, Joe competed with police executives from across
the nation and became the Chief of Police for the City of Anaheim where he served
with distinction and dedication. Joe attended Pepperdine University where he received
a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Administration and was a Graduate student at California
State University, Long Beach. He held numerous training certificates and awards
in law enforcement including Advanced and Management Certificates from the Commission
on Peace Officer Standards and Training. Joe was married to Pamela and during their
28 years of marriage had four children and four grandchildren. Pam Molloy has personally
participated in the presentation of the “Molloy” award at each of the annual conference
installation dinners since its inception. The Policy Statement for the “Joseph T.
Molloy” Award calls for the outgoing President to make the decision as to whom the
recipient will be and may choose from any eligible active or retired member. The
award may be given posthumously to a member of the recipient’s family. The recognition
is bestowed based upon the recipient’s professionalism, leadership, energy, and
commitment to the mission of the Association. A Chief may be recognized for cumulative
contributions or for work in a specific area. Generally, the award will involve
a number of years of service, however this is not an absolute requirement. Since
the inception of the “Joseph T. Molloy” Award, the following Chiefs have been honored
with the presentation of the award:

It is in the spirit of professional excellence that this tradition will continue
for those special individuals who follow in Joe’s memory. *A Special Presentation
for the founder of the California Police Chiefs Association