Long Beach Police Chief Wally Hebeish Announces Retirement

LONG BEACH, CA — Long Beach Police Chief Wally Hebeish will retire Dec. 31 after more than 32 years in law enforcement, including five years leading the department, the city announced.

Hebeish became the city's 27th police chief in December 2021. He oversees the second-largest municipal police force in Los Angeles County, with approximately 1,200 personnel in total with 800 sworn officers.

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City Manager Tom Modica credited Hebeish with strengthening community relationships, supporting employee wellness and guiding the department through changes in policing.

"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," Modica said in a statement.

Hebeish began his law enforcement career with the Orange County Sheriff's Department in 1994 and joined the Long Beach Police Department in 1995. He rose through every rank before becoming chief, serving as chief of staff, deputy chief of the Support and Patrol bureaus and assistant chief. His assignments also included criminal intelligence, investigations and internal affairs.

As chief, Hebeish established the department's first Wellness Division and created the Community Services Bureau. According to the city, his efforts to address gender disparities also helped increase the number of women in department leadership to its highest level in the agency's history.

The city reported annual declines in shootings during his tenure as chief. In 2025, the department recorded no officer-involved shootings for the first time in its history.

Hebeish thanked officers, civilian employees, labor partners, city leaders and residents for supporting him during his time as chief.

"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," Hebeish said.

Modica said the city will begin a search for Hebeish's successor.

More about Heibish's career accomplishments and the process for hiring a new police chief is on the city's website.