Hermosa Police Chief Suspended 20 Days
Hermosa Beach Police Chief Frank Beeson has been suspended without pay for 20 days after an investigation concluded that he was intoxicated while on duty at the station last month, City Manager Gregory T. Meyer said Friday.
Meyer said he made the decision after a Police Department probe into a complaint that the chief had used “abusive verbal behavior” on Feb. 20. Beeson was placed on indefinite suspension by Meyer the next day pending further investigation.
Meyer said Beeson, 54, has accepted the 20-day suspension, which began with Friday’s decision. He will return to active duty April 15. Beeson, who reportedly admitted himself to an alcohol treatment program after the incident, could not be reached for comment.
The suspension is the second for Beeson, who was suspended for drinking on duty shortly after he was appointed chief four years ago. In that instance, he appeared at a City Council meeting intoxicated.
The new disciplinary action was based on Civil Service and departmental regulations, which call for a 15-day suspension for being intoxicated on duty, according to Meyer. Beeson is a Civil Service employee.
Meyer said the additional five days were added to the suspension because Beeson had behaved in a manner unbecoming to a police officer.
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