Orange Beach police chief resigns post effective Dec. 4

John Mullen • November 22, 2019

Asst. Chief Steve Brown will be the interim chief.

(OBA®) – Orange Beach Police Chief Joe Fierro is resigning after serving the department since February of 2016. Fierro announced his resignation on the police department’s Facebook page on Nov. 20. Assistant Chief Steve Brown is expected to become the interim chief.

Dear Orange Beach Community,

I have resigned my position as Chief of Police effective December 4, 2019. It has been an honor and privilege to serve as your police chief. I can assure each of you that you have fine, committed officers and staff serving and protecting you every day. I leave with a heavy heart but know you will be well taken care of. My best to all of you and I hope to see you when I am out and about. Take care.

Sincerely,
Joe Fierro
Chief of Police

More than 76 people offered comments of support on the social media post.

Mayor Tony Kennon said it’s his policy not to comment on retirements or resignations but said it’s likely Asst. Chief Steve Brown will be the interim chief while the city ponders who’ll replace Fierro.

“We’ll probably move Steve Brown to interim and just take our time,” Kennon said. “We’ll probably interview him. Steve has really grown in his abilities and he’s really stepped up as assistant chief. I think he deserves an opportunity to show what he can do on an interim basis. If we can go from within and get somebody that the police feels comfortable with them and we can go that route then, by all means, we will.”

Brown has served with the police department since 1993 when he was a reserve and communications officer. He has worked as a fulltime police officer since 1995 and served as patrol officer, investigator and now as assistant chief. 

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