Crum Returns Amidst City Leaders’ Accolades

CATHEDRAL CITY – With a 1,000-watt smile, newly appointed Police Chief George Crum appears as though he’s stepped out of a Crest commercial, but don’t let it fool you, City Councilmember Mark Carnevale told Uken Report.

“He has fire in the belly and passion, leadership and experience, and is up to the challenge,” Carnevale said. “His experience exceeds anything we’ve had. There’s nothing wishy washy about him. He says what he means and means what he says. I’d give him 110%. He’s going to be a star.”

Carnevale is one in a long line of civic leaders and residents praising the return of Crum as the city’s top cop. Social media burst with praise and “Likes” upon the announcement.

Crum served as Cathedral City’s police chief for three years, 2014-2017m and has more than 30 years in law enforcement experience.   He retired from the city on Nov. 2, 2017.  He returned on February 24, 2020 to fill the role of interim police chief when deputy and acting police chief Anthony Yoakum took a position with the city of Beaumont, located closer to his residence. Yoakum served as interim after Travis Walker left under a cloud.

“I and the rest of the Council are beyond pleased that Chief Crum has decided to come out of retirement and serve as our new chief of police,” Mayor John Aguilar told Uken Report. “I worked very closely o Chief Crum during his prior city service and was continuously impressed by his professionalism, passion for service to the community, and leadership within the department.  He brings a level of quality, stability, and vision to the department which has suffered through some difficult times during the last two years.  We have the finest group of men and women in blue anywhere and now, more than ever, during this Pandemic, we need a skilled leader in the department to weather the challenging days ahead of us.”

Former Mayor Kathy DeRosa is also a fan, saying he is the right person for the times.

“I had the privilege of working with Chief Crum for only a short time before I retired and think the world of him,” DeRosa told Uken Report. Chief Crum is a dedicated professional, well thought of by his peers as well as those who work under him. He’s an excellent communicator and very engaging, a good listener. He tends to be proactive and compassionate. Cathedral City is fortunate chief Crum has decided to return especially during this challenging time.”

Crum has also gained the confidence of former Mayor and Police Chief Stan Henry.

“Chief Crum did a very good job when he was here prior to his retirement engaging with the community and I think he will be able to continue that good job,” Henry said.

Crum began his law enforcement career as a police officer in 1987 when he joined the Fullerton Police Department. He was promoted to Corporal in 1996, Sergeant in 2003, Lieutenant in 2008 and Captain in 2012. During his 29-year law enforcement career, he has worked assignments in the Patrol Bureau, Traffic Bureau, Narcotics Unit, Crime Impact Unit, Internal Affairs and Special Weapons and Tactics.

Chief Crum holds an associate of science degree in police science from Fullerton College, a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice from California State University Fullerton and a Master of Science degree in Emergency Services Administration from California State University, Long Beach. Chief Crum possesses his Executive Certificate which was issued by the Commission on Peace Officers Standards and Training and he is a graduate of the Sherman Block Supervisory Leadership Institute.

He is a Drug Recognition Expert and state recognized expert in DUI alcohol and Drug cases. He offers expert testimony in narcotics cases, impaired driving cases and vehicular homicide cases. He has trained and certified approximately 500 Officers as Drug Recognition Experts throughout California since 2004. He was honored by The California Office of Traffic Safety in 2011 as a California Law Enforcement Challenge Award winner for his statewide efforts in DUI and DUI-Drugs. He was awarded the first ever Drug Recognition Expert Excellence Award by M.A.D.D. in 2014.

“We are very excited to have Police Chief Crum return to Cathedral City,” City Manager Charlie McClendon said in a prepared statement.  “While our police chief for three years, he energized the department, created great community relations, and instituted policies that not only helped lower our crime rate, but addressed complex issues like homelessness.”