Long Beach Police Chief Wally Hebeish to retire

Long Beach Police Chief Wally Hebeish has announced his retirement, effective at the end of the year. Hebeish, who has served with the department for 32 years, was appointed as the city’s 27th police chief on January 1, 2022.

During his tenure, Hebeish led a staff of over 1,200 employees and oversaw significant organizational changes, including the creation of the department’s first Wellness Division and the Community Services Bureau. He is credited with advancing community policing, championing accountability, and leading the largest police recruitment effort in the city’s history. His leadership also focused on closing gender disparities, resulting in more women in leadership positions than at any previous time in the department.

Mayor Rex Richardson stated that the city will conduct a nationwide search for a successor. The new leader will be tasked with building on current progress and ensuring city safety ahead of the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Hebeish began his law enforcement career with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department in 1994 before joining the LBPD in 1995, eventually rising through the ranks from assistant chief to chief.