Long Beach Police Chief Robert Luna announced in a press release today new Long Beach Police Department (LBPD) command staff assignments that will become effective March 7, 2015. According to the LBPD, in order to “afford [police commanders] increased opportunities for community engagement and career development,” their assignments are typically rotated every few years.
Recently, Commander Robert Smith took charge of the West Division and newly-promoted Commander Rudy Komisza was assigned to the North Division. Today, Chief Luna announced in a statement that 22-year veteran Commander Liz Griffin would assume command of the East Patrol Division. Her previous assignments include Patrol, Field Training Officer, Violent Crimes, Youth Services, North Division Bike Patrol, Internal Affairs Division, Administrative Lieutenant to the Deputy Chief of Patrol and commander of the Security Services Division, police said.
In addition to the Patrol Division changes, other new assignments that the LBPD announced today were: Commander Lisa Lopez, Chief of Staff; Commander Richard Conant, Internal Affairs Division; Commander Paul LeBaron, Detective Division; Commander Robert Luman, Gang & Violent Crimes Division; Commander Don Wood, Field Support Division; Commander Randy Allen, Port Police Division; Commander Rick Farfan, Security Services Division and Commander Alex Avila, Training & Communications Division.