Long Beach Police Department (LBPD) Chief Robert Luna has selected a 26-year department veteran for the position of police commander, it was recently announced.

Cmdr. Joel Cook will be assigned to the security services division, officials said.

Cook began his career with the department in 1989 and was promoted to corporal in 1996, sergeant in 1999 and lieutenant in 2007.

His assignments have included patrol, field training officer, crime analysis, vice investigations, special weapons and tactics, and the event planning/disaster preparedness section.

He holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and a master’s degree in emergency management—both from California State University, Long Beach (CSULB).

He is also a graduate of the Sherman Block Supervisory Institute, Class 147.