In 1829 the Drummond family emigrated to the Swan River Colony in what is now Western Australia, arriving on board the Parmelia on 1 June.

As a man well known and widely respected by the local tribes, and familiar with Indigenous language and customs, Drummond was appointed the colony's first 'Inspector of Native Police'.

According to the diary of Gerard de Courcy Lefroy: Drummond reported Kabinger's death as having been done "in the execution of his duty while enforcing a warrant of arrest".

He helped to handle a number of delicate and dangerous standoffs with the local Indigenous group there, and his return to Toodyay was greatly regretted.

On returning to Toodyay, Drummond found himself constantly quarrelling with the newly appointed 'Protector of the Natives' at York, Walkinshaw Cowan, who accused him of leaving his district while on duty.

[6] Shortly afterwards the problem was solved by transferring Drummond to Champion Bay as First Constable of the newly established police force there.

By 1857, Drummond had been promoted to Sub-Inspector of Police at Champion Bay, and owned valuable pastoral and mining interests in the area.

In 1877 Drummond was charged with wounding with intent to murder tenant farmer John Fisher at Redcliffe Farm, near Geraldton.

He was found guilty of shooting Fisher with intent to do him grievous bodily harm, and sentenced to three years' penal servitude.

He was the third-last surviving colonist to arrive on the Parmelia, the others remaining being his sister Euphemia Macintosh, and Mary Ann Strickland (Hokin).