After about 27 years of having the position vacant, the Long Beach Police Department now has a new assistant police chief.

Wally Hebeish, who was the deputy chief of the patrol bureau, has been promoted to Chief Robert Luna’s second-in-command. His main duties will include overseeing the implementation of new technology, helping the department comply with legislative mandates and preparing the department for expected high attrition rates this year, according to a press release.

“I look forward to building upon our department’s commitment to strengthening relationships and continuing to foster trust and open communication with the community we serve,” Hebeish said in a written statement.

Hebeish has worked in law enforcement for 25 years, including assignments in patrol, criminal intelligence, financial crimes, narcotics and homicide. He’s also worked on the executive management team leading the support and patrol bureaus and served as the chief of staff to Luna, the release said.

“His management style, innovation and communication skills are well regarded at all levels of our department and I know he will continue to positively impact our police organization and our community in his new leadership role,” Luna said in a written statement.

He will continue to oversee the patrol bureau until a new deputy chief is chosen. There are two other deputy chiefs in the department.

According to Patrick West, city manager, the responsibilities of the department have “continued to expand in scope and complexity,” and the position, which has been left vacant since 1992, is needed to manage the range of issues that happen in a city as big as Long Beach.