This news update is brought to you by the City of Long Beach. To find out more about City programs, projects, initiatives and services, please visit longbeach.gov. To find events near you, please visit the City calendar at www.longbeach.gov/events. And follow us on social media @longbeachcity.
Long Beach Police Chief Hebeish Plans Retirement After Decades in Service
By Staff Writer
Published on Tue, Oct 27, 2026
Long Beach Police Chief Wally Hebeish is preparing to hang up his badge after more than three decades in law enforcement, including five years in the department’s top post.
Hebeish will continue leading the Long Beach Police Department through the end of the year, with his last day on the job set for Dec. 31. A national recruitment process is underway to find his replacement, with a new chief expected to be announced in early 2027.
Hebeish became Long Beach’s 27th police chief in December 2021, overseeing one of the largest municipal police departments in Los Angeles County, with about 800 sworn officers and 1,200 total employees.
He began his law enforcement career with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department in 1994 before joining LBPD in 1995. Over the years, he worked his way through every rank in the department, serving in roles focused on patrol, investigations, criminal intelligence and internal affairs before becoming chief.
During his tenure, Hebeish helped implement programs aimed at reducing crime, improving employee wellness, strengthening the department’s organization and building public trust.
Among his initiatives were the creation of LBPD’s first Wellness Division and the Community Services Bureau. He also worked to address gender disparities within the department, helping pave the way for more women to serve in leadership positions than ever before.
Under his leadership, Long Beach saw year-over-year reductions in shootings, and in 2025, the department recorded zero officer-involved shootings for the first time in its history.
Hebeish prioritized recruitment and retention, contributing to the graduation of the largest recruit class in LBPD history. His tenure also saw the completion and opening of the new LBPD Police Academy, which will help train future generations of officers.
The department also began publishing an annual Year in Review and Accountability Report, giving the public a closer look at its work, accomplishments and efforts to improve transparency and accountability.
Long Beach residents have a chance to weigh in on what they want to see in the City’s next police chief. The City Manager plans to gather community feedback as part of the selection process, which will include several rounds of interviews before a final decision is made. A successor is expected to be announced in early 2027.
