Michael Joseph Murphy (July 19, 1913 – May 18, 1997) was an American law enforcement officer who served as New York City Police Commissioner from 1961 to 1965.

He graduated from Newtown High School and worked in insurance before going into law enforcement as a member of the New York State Police.

[2] After his promotion to captain, Murphy was assigned to the commissioner’s office and served as a defense counsel during department trials.

[4][3] That same year he established a relationship between the academy and City College and was named assistant dean for police studies at CCNY.

[13][14] The case gained national attention when the Times alleged that 38 neighbors had witnessed the crime in progress but did nothing about it, even as Genovese screamed for help repeatedly (an account that has since been disputed).

[15] On May 18, 1965, Murphy announced he would be leaving the department effective July 1 to become the president of the National Automobile Theft Bureau.