'Quintessential Team Player' To Lead Manhattan Beach Fire Dept.

MANHATTAN BEACH, CA —With the recent termination of Manhattan Beach Fire Chief Daryn Drum on Friday, the city once again finds itself without a permanent full-time fire chief. Drum, who was fired after recent insensitive and inappropriate public comments came to light, joined the city in April 2019, replacing interim Fire Chief Derrick Abell who held the position for a year while also serving as Manhattan Beach's police chief. Abell, who was named the city's chief of police in January 2018 and celebrates 30 years with the department next year, is once again stepping into the dual roles.

"During this transitional time, Chief Abell will provide executive leadership and oversight to the fire department," said City Manager Bruce Moe, "while our fire [department] battalion chiefs and captains will continue to provide the day-to-day operational management and supervision. As you correctly pointed out, Chief Abell is very busy and I want to minimize the impact to him and the police department from this temporary acting assignment. Chief Abell is the quintessential team player and is always willing to step up and assist, and I greatly appreciate his leadership at this important time."

Moe said he is hoping to appoint an interim fire chief "in the near future to provide dedicated leadership to the fire department, while we initiate the recruitment process for a permanent replacement. The recruitment process can last from 3-6 months." Moe also said previous suggestions to turn over fire department duties to Los Angeles County are "off the table as [City] Council made the decision last November to not move forward with exploring this option. The Council understands the community’s desire to keep their fire department local, and we want to continue to build upon our strengths and opportunities to best serve the community."

Moe informed city council of his decision to terminate Drum "once it was made" and city officials are "hopeful" Drum will not file a lawsuit. With the announcement of Drum's termination, the city released audio clips of his remarks. On one clip, Drum is heard repeatedly using the phrase “not taking our foot off their throat” when referring to negotiations with an external vendor. The comments were made on Tuesday, June 16, during a regional public safety officials meeting. Other comments can be heard some 45+ minutes into the interviews on a June 11 podcast episode of “The South Bay Show.” “You’re one good shooting away from civil unrest," said Drum, "and now it’s changed to you’re one violent interaction — and the officer oftentimes doesn’t control the level of violence that comes with that interaction — the person that they’re in contact with is really the one in control. If you comply, there is no violence. If you respond with violence, then the officer has no choice.”

Drum's comments come on the heels of the Memorial Day death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, MN. Floyd died at the hands of police officers, with one officer pressing his knee on Floyd’s neck for nearly nine minutes. Floyd was handcuffed and face-down on the ground as the officer kept his knee of Floyd's neck. Floyd’s death has resulted in a nationwide protest movement against police brutality and racism.