After five years, Long Beach Police Department (LBPD) Chief Wally Hebeish announced Wednesday that he will retire at the end of the year.
Hebeish has 32 years of service and was the 27th officer to lead the department. He has served as chief since December 2021, leading a staff of over 1,200 employees.
“It has been an incredible honor to stand alongside the dedicated men and women of the Long Beach Police Department in service of our community,” said Hebeish in a public statement. “Leading our police department through some of the most challenging times we have faced in modern law enforcement was only possible because of the support given to me by our police officers, professional staff, labor partners, City leadership and the Long Beach community. I will be forever grateful for the trust placed in me to lead our department and serve our city.”
Chief Hebeish began his law enforcement career with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department in 1994 before laterally joining the LBPD in 1995. Before being appointed Chief of Police, Chief Hebeish rose through every rank within the LBPD, including serving as Chief of Staff, Deputy Chief of the Support Bureau, Deputy Chief of the Patrol Bureau and Assistant Chief of Police.
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He has worked in a variety of assignments throughout his career and has extensive experience in the areas of Criminal Intelligence, Investigations, Patrol and Internal Affairs.
During his tenure with the LBPD, Chief Hebeish has helped the Department through many challenges and was instrumental in the implementation of programs to address crime, guide organizational growth, improve employee wellness and increase public trust. He created the Department’s first Wellness Division and the Community Services Bureau.
Additionally, his investment in programs to close gender disparities in law enforcement has resulted in more women in positions of leadership than at any prior time in the Department’s history.
“Chief Hebeish has led the Long Beach Police Department through a transformative period in modern policing, and he has done so with integrity, compassion and an unwavering commitment to our community,” said City Manager Tom Modica in a public statement. “He has built a Department that is further grounded in community trust, equity, employee wellness and keeping every neighborhood safe, and Long Beach is stronger because of his leadership.”
Under Hebeish’s tenure as Chief, Long Beach experienced year-over-year reductions in shootings as well as zero officer-involved shootings in 2025, a first in the Department’s history.
The City Manager plans to conduct a national recruitment process, with an outside recruiter to be brought on to run the process. Prior to the selection of the new Police Chief, there will be a community input process to provide the City Manager feedback on what residents are seeking in their next Chief of Police, which will in turn help inform the selection process.
This process will take place over the next few months, with an announcement of the next Chief of Police expected in early 2027. Candidates will undergo a multi-step screening and interview process with Human Resources, a community panel, a technical panel andCity department directors,with the selection ultimately made by the City Manager.
