Quasi-polycyclic (QP for short) codes over a finite chain ring $R$ are a generalization of quasi-cyclic codes, and these codes can be viewed as an $R[x]$-submodule of $\mathcal{R}_m^{\ell}$, where $\mathcal{R}_m:= R[x]/\langle f\rangle$, and $f$ is a monic polynomial of degree $m$ over $R$. If $f$ factors uniquely into monic and coprime basic irreducibles, then their algebraic structure allow us to characterize the generator polynomials and the minimal generating sets of 1-generator QP codes as $R$-modules. In addition, we also determine the parity check polynomials for these codes by using the strong Gröbner bases. In particular, via Magma system, some quaternary codes with new parameters are derived from these 1-generator QP codes.