Hermosa Beach Safety Director Fights Firing : Allegations: Steve Wisniewski is accused of misleading the city about a weapons sale and using a government car for private use.

Hermosa Beach’s top law enforcement official, Public Safety Director Steve Wisniewski, plans to fight the city manager’s decision this week to fire him.

Wisniewski, whose termination took effect Monday, will appeal his dismissal to the county Civil Service Commission, City Manager Frederick R. Ferrin said this week. The commission is not expected to hear the case until early September, according to a county spokeswoman.

The firing culminates more than three months of negotiations between Ferrin and Wisniewski, who was placed on administrative leave in March.

At that time allegations arose that Wisniewski misled the City Council about a 1991 weapons exchange in which confiscated firearms were sold to a national gun dealer instead of other police agencies. The chief also drew criticism for allegedly using a government luxury vehicle for personal use and improperly supervising funds for undercover narcotics buys.

Wisniewski, 46, who held the position for seven years, has declined to comment about his firing or alleged misdeeds.

Wisniewski’s termination allows the city to stop paying the chief his annual salary of $84,800 for overseeing the city’s police and fire departments.

“It was a difficult decision to make, terminating the chief, who was a trusted public official,” Ferrin said. He has been advised by city lawyers not to elaborate on the matter.

Police Chief Val Straser will serve as acting public safety director until a replacement is found, Wisniewski said.