Councilmembers Suzie Price of the Third District and Stacy Mungo of the Fifth District will host a farewell reception for outgoing Long Beach Police Department (LBPD) East Division Commander Paul LeBaron next month, according to a statement from the City of Long Beach.
Effective March 7, Commander Elizabeth Griffin will replace LeBaron, who will now oversee the Detective Division of the Investigations Bureau.
Griffin is a 22-year veteran of the LBPD, and the rotation is part of a process in which commanders usually rotate every few years to “afford them increased opportunities for community engagement and career development,” according to the city’s statement.
“I am pleased to recognize Commander LeBaron for his hard work and dedication to the east side,” Councilmember Price said. “I am also thrilled to welcome our new East Division Commander Griffin to serve residents of the Third District.”
Councilmember Mungo added, “Commander LeBaron has been a tremendous asset to our community and an exemplar as a steward of the public trust. Our neighborhoods, residents and businesses are safer because of his leadership.”
The free reception is slated for March 9 from 5:30PM to 6:30PM at the Gaslamp Restaurant, located at 6251 East Pacific Coast Highway. It is open to the public.