Page 20 June 2014 By Katie Mayer He has been a patrol officer in Phoenix’s busy Maryvale Precinct, trained the department’s newest recruits, supervised tactical training, and most recently served as the Duty Commander overseeing the city’s active nighttime hours. Phoenix Police Commander Marcel Spaulding recently brought his nearly 29 years of policing experience to Arcadia residents, as he stepped into his newest role leading a team of 200 sworn and civilian staff as Mountain View Precinct Commander. “I like helping people and I like serving the community and the city,” Spaulding said. “I also appreciate the stability. This is still a noble profession.” Although Spaulding has worked in nearly every unit in the Phoenix Police Department, he has also spent years working in the Mountain View Precinct, which was formerly known as Squaw Peak Precinct. The Mountain View Precinct has an estimated population of 214,386 and is just less than 37 square miles in size. “The versatility attracts most of the officers who work here,” Spaulding said. The Mountain View Precinct houses some of Arizona’s multi-million dollar homes as well as low cost apartments and housing, and the day-to-day work is varied. In his new role, Spaulding works days during the week and oversees the patrol, property crimes and domestic violence units, as well as the Neighborhood Enforcement Teams and Community Action Officers. He said he is most excited to be able to make a positive impact on the officers he oversees, including helping them continue building their careers and reach their goals. “I have known Commander Spaulding my entire career and I have had the opportunity to work with him in different work assignments,” said Phoenix Police Assistant Chief Harry Markley. “He is an extremely hard worker, knowledgeable, caring and brings almost three decades of police experience with him.” He added, “I know he will be successful in this assignment and he will further the community policing efforts within the Mountain View Precinct.” Although Spaulding has built a highly successful law enforcement career, he said he almost joined the military instead of going into police work. “I really didn’t have any interest in being a policeman,” Spaulding said. “I wanted to go into the medical field, so I took the ASVAB test for the military.” However, while Spaulding waited for his results, two of his cousins working for Phoenix Police Department told him Commander Marcel Spaulding By Sarah Ste Father of fi of St. Ther Phoenix, isn’ family bond marriages in Matt Murp the ministry’ was just intr February. It ministry whe Alexander cr relationship-b the increase i decided it wa “I grew up hard to find s Murphy said. to have good they can see united famili For him, it’ it’s about cre for the childr help lead my God and ultim said. “The be to send them Catholic scho in a home w filled marriag In the Mu to attend St father and his as Matt and four young c enrolled or w a fifth one on Murphy’s and his chur “My grandfa the previous how much they enjoyed their work and explained that if Spaulding didn’t like the academy, he could quit at any time. Needless to say, Spaulding stuck it out, and at the age of just 22 years old, began patrolling the streets of the Maryvale District. Today, Spaulding enjoys the role of helping to mentor and train not only the officers he oversees, but youth in the community as well. He has served as a wrestling coach in the Deer Valley Unified School District and continues to work as a wrestling referee. A few of the students he coached have even joined the police force because of the impact Spaulding had on their lives. Spaulding has a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services from Ottawa University and holds teaching credentials for substitute teaching in Arizona, as well. He also has a Community College Teaching Certificate and has served as adjunct faculty for Rio Salado Community College in the area of Law Enforcement Technology. In his free time, Spaulding enjoys spending time with his wife and teenage daughter, as well as staying involved in sports and fitness. Spaulding said he looks forward to continuing his new assignment and serving Arcadia’s residents. “The people in Arcadia are pretty active and they call us if there is something suspicious,” Spaulding said. “It seems like there is a pretty good network of neighbors that look out for each other.” “He added, “Anytime that you have an active community, in my opinion, you have less of a chance for crime.” To learn more about Phoenix Police Department’s community events or to attend the precinct’s “Coffee with a Cop” which Spaulding attends, visit phoenix. gov/police/precincts/mountainview. Mountain View Precinct commander begins role Matt Murphy wo Experience sets this award-winning team apart! When you need your home SOLD, give Susan and Marshall a call. Phoenix • 4017 E Patricia Jane Dr 3 Bd | 2.75 Ba | 2,147 Sq Ft $535,000 – Accepting backup offers! 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Page 21 June 2014 Longtime parishoner looks at improving marriages By Sarah Stecko Father of five and life-long parishioner of St. Theresa’s Catholic Church in Phoenix, isn’t just focused on his close family bond, but also strengthening marriages in the community. Matt Murphy started the group as the ministry’s Covenant of Love and it was just introduced to St. Theresa last February. It stemmed from a Texan ministry where couple, Greg and Julie Alexander created date nights and other relationship-building activities. With the increase in the divorce rate, Murphy decided it was needed here. “I grew up with divorced parents, it’s hard to find solid marriages these days,” Murphy said. He believes it is important to have good role models for children, so they can see healthy marriages to build united families. For him, it’s not just about marriage— it’s about creating the stable foundation for the children. “As a father, my job is to help lead my wife and children closer to God and ultimately to heaven,” Murphy said. “The best way for me to do that is to send them to a faith and love centered Catholic school and for them to grow up in a home with a strong, healthy, faith- filled marriage.” In the Murphy family, it is tradition to attend St. Theresa School and his father and his seven siblings did, as well as Matt and his five siblings. Now, his four young children are either already enrolled or will be soon. The couple has a fifth one on the way. Murphy’s commitment to his family and his church goes back generations. “My grandfather was very close with the previous Pastor and even helped One appointment. Expert doctors. Convenient services. 4350 E. Camelback Rd., Ste F100 Phoenix, AZ 85018 602.955.8700 • FPSAZ.com Because caring for your health has always been our passion, we’ve made the following services conveniently available in our office. • Excellent care for all ages • Same day appointments • On-site clinical laboratory and X-rays • Dermatology and Optometry services • Botox and Obagi skin care now available Celebrating 45 years of family care Mark A. Wyse, M.D. Allan Goldman, D.O. David Francyk, D.O. T.E. McCauley, M.D. Kate Montgomery, FNP Optometrist David Anderson, O.D. Certified Dermatologist Andrew J. Racette, D.O. Charles Levison, M.D. James Leap, PA-C Physician Assistant Alisha Archibeck, D.O. Jennifer Francyk, PA-C Walk-ins welcome. M-F 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday 7 a.m. to noon. FPS is participating in a hepatitis B vaccine study. If you are between the ages of 18-70 and have never been vaccinated against or had the hepatitis B virus, give us a call for more information. build the current church back in the 70’s,” he said. “My parents and later I, became close with the current Pastor, so I grew up with a very strong sense of community at St. Theresa.” So when Murphy and his wife, Olivia began their marriage and family, they wanted that same sense of community. But going to church every Sunday was not enough involvement for the family, they wanted to become a part of the parish. The two purposes for the covenant was to enrich marriage of course, but also to strengthen the community. Murphy and Olivia were just looking for a fun activity to do as a couple, not counseling. “I realized there was really no group just for couples with no problems,” he said. The Covenant of Love’s date nights are held once a month on Friday. The upcoming evening out will be June 13, running from 6:30 p.m-8:30 p.m. and opens with various speakers, including the priest and couples telling their stories, followed by a romantic dinner with drinks. There is no charge to attend a date night and child care is also offered on-site for no cost. RSVP is not necessary, however it is recommended if child care service is needed. Today, there are 10 couples who attend core team meetings according to the curriculum from the Alexander House ministry in Texas. While some discussions are from a Catholic perspective, couples outside of the parish are welcome to join. “It’s so amazing to see couples come that have been together for 20, 30, 40 or even over 50 years,” Murphy said. Matt Murphy works with couples at St. Theresa to strengthen marriages, as well as families.