Temecula Man to Lead Murrieta PD

A Temecula resident was appointed chief of the Murrieta Police Department.

Mike Baray, 50, was promoted from interim chief, making him the first chief to be promoted from within, according to Murrieta's city manager Rick Dudley.

Chief Baray, then one of the department's two captains, was asked in April of this year to step in after the retirement announcement of former Chief Mark Wright, 54.

Baray began serving as interim on April 29.

"Mike has performed exceptionally well during the interim assignment," said Dudley in an email to Patch.

"He has been very responsive to the City Manager’s office, to other departments, to the City Council and to the community," Dudley wrote. "He has an outstanding rapport with his staff and the respect of everyone throughout the Police Department and City Hall. 

"Over the past three months, I have heard nothing but good things from the officers within the police department and from employees from other departments. He has demonstrated a strong commitment to the Police Department, to the City and to the community."

Baray came to the Murrieta Police Department as one of the original 25 officers in 1992. He served as the department’s first detective and later became the first lieutenant of its investigations bureau.

Baray started his law enforcement career in 1982 with the Long Beach Police Department. He is a graduate of the California POST Command College and holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice.

A Temecula Valley resident since 1998, Baray is married and the father of five.

The appointment makes Baray the department's fifth chief since its launch in 1992.

As interim, Baray was paid $162,996. What his salary as chief will be was still being discussed, according to Dudley.

The permanent promotion sets in motion other interim promotions, including Capt. Dennis Vrooman's step up from lieutenant. Capt. Sean Hadden was promoted from lieutenant upon Capt. Steve Porter's retirement from the force, which occurred close to Wright's April retirement.

"I believe the entire organization was interested in getting the best person for the position," Dudley said about Baray's appointment as chief.

"I have worked with a lot of law enforcement command officials in my career, including probably 10 sheriff’s captains who served as 'police chief' in my prior jurisdiction. 

"Chief Baray ranks with the absolute best of them. It is always a thrill to have, and recognize, the best talent within an organization and bring them into the leadership roles.

"Chief Baray is the first police chief to be promoted from within the department in Murrieta, and I believe that everyone in the department is proud of him for his accomplishments."