Hermosa Beach : Public Safety Director
Police Capt. John J. Mebius, an 18-year veteran of the Hermosa Beach Police Department, was appointed interim public safety director this week.
Mebius will serve as interim director for at least two months while City Manager Gregory Meyer interviews candidates for full-time director, a newly created position approved by the City Council last month. Mebius has applied for the permanent post.
The public safety post consolidates the police and fire chief positions in a cost-cutting move expected to save the city $75,000 a year, Meyer said. Police Chief Frank Beeson retired Monday, and the Fire Department has been without a chief since the resignation of Ronald Simmons last summer.
Mebius, 41, will oversee the 34-officer Police Department and 17-member Fire Department for $4,444 month, the same salary he received as captain, Meyer said. “He agreed to accept the appointment with no increase to help save the city money,” Meyer said.
Mebius, who started his career as a patrol officer in Hermosa Beach, has worked in all areas of the department.
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