The Department

The City of Hermosa Beach was incorporated in 1907. The police department had a small and varied start with one employee first noted in city records as E.L. Ferriel the city Marshall in 1908. Marshall Ferriel was elected to the position with a total of 88 votes. Other dates recorded showed the following:

J.K. Mills was elected the town Marshall in 1910 with 66 votes.
Chester Palmer was listed as the town Marshall in 1911.
Arthur Marshall was paid $75.00 a month as a "Night Watchman" on April 15, 1918.
W.W. "Buck" Gipson was the City Marshall and paid $150 a month on April 18, 1922.
William A. Stiles was the City Marshall on March 20, 1923.
E.L. Messinger was listed as the City Marshall on April 19, 1926.
The population in 1926 was 6500.

Chiefs of Police:

D.L. Evans

1937
Chief Evans enlists in Navy and Hollie Murray becomes Acting Chief of Police

1942
F.L. "Jack" Harlow

1947
William H. Berlin

1957 to 1975
Claude G. Stonier

1975 to 1981
Frank Beeson

1982 to 1987
Steve Wisniewski (Public Safety Director)

1987 to 1992
Valentine Straser

1992 to 2001
Michael Lavin

2001 to 2006
Greg Savelli

2006 to 2012

The police department is currently authorized 39 sworn personnel. Our department has a Chief of Police, one Captain, two Lieutenants, eight Sergeants, and twenty-seven officers. The department has assignments in detectives, traffic, patrol, backgrounds and training, internal affairs, Community Lead Program and Narcotics K-9. We have volunteer programs, which include a Chaplain, Crisis Response Team, and Volunteers in Policing.

The City of Hermosa Beach has a mile and a half of beach which brings thousands to our city to enjoy the dining and entertainment areas downtown. Officers are assigned to events that include beach volleyball, concerts on the beach, surf festival, Hermosa Arts Fair, and the Hermosa Triathlon. The two biggest events are on the 4th of July and New Years. The entire department is deployed on these days.

Medal of Valor Receipients:

William Cavenaugh

1979
James Chizmar

1982
Mark Wright

1986
Thomas Eckert

1986
John Kearin

1986
Kurt Michel

1995
Dana M. Reinhardt

1995

Distinguished Service Award Recipients:

Thomas Thompson

2005
Dean Garkow

2013
Josh Droz

2013

Contact Us

PO Box 270
Hermosa Beach, CA 90254

Email Us

Get News Updates

Subscribe to our newsletter to receive important updates and the latest news from The Hermosa Beach Police Officers' Association.

Subscribe Now

Thank You

Through generous donations, the Hermosa Beach POA provides assistance to its members, as well as for the victims of tragic events. Thank you for your support!

Donate Today