Cathedral City Police Chief George Crum Reflects on Career Ahead of Retirement

Cathedral City Police Chief George Crum, who will retire Thursday after 36 years in law enforcement, reflected on his years of service to the city and the community he served.

“I am truly honored to have served the citizens of Cathedral City as their police chief for over eight years,” Crum said in a statement. “I would like to thank the community elected officials, the city, and the men and women of the Cathedral City Police Department for allowing me the opportunity to serve as their police chief. The men and women of the Cathedral City Police Department represent the very best in our profession.”

Crum was originally hired as Cathedral City’s police chief on Dec. 10, 2014. He retired in November 2017 but later returned to the role after being reappointed in February 2020.

His law enforcement career began in 1987 with the Fullerton Police Department, where he served in multiple specialized assignments, including the Narcotics Unit, Crime Impact Unit, Internal Affairs and Special Weapons and Tactics.

City officials credited Crum with strengthening community trust and prioritizing transparency in policing. “Chief George Crum has dedicated nearly a decade of service to the residents of Cathedral City, and his impact on our community is immeasurable,” said Ryan Hunt, the city’s communications and events manager. “His community-focused approach to policing prioritized open dialogue and building genuine trust with the people he served.”

During his tenure, Crum launched a Homeless Liaison Officer program, established a traffic bureau and helped maintain one of the lowest crime rates in the Coachella Valley over the past six years, officials said.

The city is expected to announce details regarding an acting police chief later Thursday.