Photo by Stephanie Rivera.

The Long Beach Police Department (LBPD) promoted 18 sworn and civilian personnel during a ceremony Tuesday afternoon. The nearly packed auditorium at the main Long Beach Public Library was filled with family and friends of the promotees.

Taking a break from a budget meeting, Mayor Robert Garcia shared a few congratulatory words with attendees, thanking them for their service and reiterating his support for the police department.

“We couldn’t be more proud of you,” Garcia said. “We are, in Long Beach, very very proud of our police department, we support our police department 100 percent.”

LBPD Chief Robert Luna thanked Garcia for his work on the recently passed Measure A which will help fund the police and fire departments. He then congratulated employees on their promotion but reminded them of the importance behind their new titles.

“Although we celebrate your promotion today, you will find that this is not about achieving greater status and more money—it’s a call to widen your influence to lead and serve,” Luna said. “Your new role will require you to be proactive, both to the needs of the community that we serve as well as our valued employees. I expect that you will rise to this challenge and your contributions will shape the future of the Long Beach Police Department.”

The following individuals were promoted:

Clerk Supervisor Kinisimary Roberts | She has worked in various city departments since 1996. She is a graduate of the 2015 City of Long Beach Leadership Academy.

Sgt. Jose Flores | A Long Beach officer in the West Division since 2006. He holds an associate’s degree in Computer Science from Mt. San Antonio College, is a member of the Long Beach POA and is a flag football and baseball coach with the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department Youth Athletic League. He received the meritorious Class A award in unit citation.

Sgt. Robert Trout | Started in the police department in 2001. In 2012 he joined the port detail to patrol local waters. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from CSULB and is a member of the Long Beach POA.

Sgt. Sovanna Ly | Began career in 1992 as a police dispatcher. He became an officer in 1998, a member of LBPOA, recipient of a meritorious class B and distinguished service award, and has received three unit citations for his work in vice investigations detail.

Sgt. Eric Golz | Hired in 2002, Golz holds a master of science in Emergency Services Administration and a bachelor of science in Administration of Justice, both from CSULB. He speaks about crime prevention and public safety at elementary schools, Girl Scouts and other youth groups. He has received a distinguished service award.

Sgt. Christopher Martin | Began his career in 1994. Served as a SWAT member and training officer at the police academy. He retired after 22 years of service in U.S. Army Special Forces, completed two overseas tours of duty, in Lebanon in 1983 and Afghanistan in 2002, where he was wounded, and received a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star. He holds a bachelor’s degree from USC, and is a life member of the Special Forces Association. He is a trained sniper and EMT with the SWAT team.

Sgt. Isiah Hughes | Hired in 2005. He served six years in the U.S. Navy during which he served one tour of duty in Iraq and received a Purple Heart. He volunteers at McBride High School, assisting with Criminal Justice investigation courses.

Sgt. Jarrod Lewis | Hired in 2000. From 2006 to 2013, he participated in LBPD’s dive team and in 2013 he was assigned to a Homeland Security Investigations federal taskforce. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from Western State Colorado University. He is a youth baseball coach.

Administrative Analyst III Janiece McMullin | Hired in 2007. He holds a master’s in Business Administration and a bachelor’s degree in American Studies from CSULB.

Lt. Erik Herzog | Hired in 1990. He worked in all four patrol divisions and served as a detective in gang investigations. He became sergeant in 1997. Has spent the last eight years in the Homicide Detail, making him the longest-serving sergeant in the department’s history.

Lt. Melvin McGuire | Hired in 1998. Promoted to sergeant in 2010. Honor graduate at the Delinquency Control Institute at USC and member of the Long Beach POA and National Order of Black Law Enforcement Executives and participates in the Why’d You Stop Me program.

Lt. Ryan LeBaron | Began in 2000. He was promoted to Sergeant in 2010. and participated in SWAT team. He holds an associate’s degree from LBS business college and is a member of the National Tactical Officers Association, as well as Long Beach POA. He is also an advisor with explorers and volunteer with Special Olympics.

Administrator Brandon Walker | Began in 2007. He holds a bachelor of arts in Psychology from UC San Diego and recently graduated from UCLA with a master’s degree in Business Administration.

Administrator Thomas Behrens | Began law enforcement career with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department and retired after 31 years of service. He joined the LBPD this year when he was appointed administrator of the jail division.

Commander Michael Lewis | Began Long Beach career as a recreation lifeguard in 1988, became an officer in 1993. He was promoted to sergeant in 2003. Promoted to lieutenant in 2007. He was recently deployed to the Coleman Fire in central California for training purposes. He will be tasked with developing and implementing a plan to restore the proposed South Division as discussed in the Measure A initiative. He holds a master’s degree in Emergency Services Administration.

Commander Steve Lauricella | Began in 1998 as a reserve officer then joined the police academy in 2000. He was promoted to sergeant in 1997, and promoted to lieutenant in 2013. He holds a master’s in Communication Management from USC and is an adjunct professor at the Museum of Tolerance.

Administration Bureau Chief Jason Campbell | Began in his career last week. He served as executive officer of the California Board of Podiatric medicine, and is employed by Metro. He was a compliance officer with the city of Los Angeles and is an attorney. He served as an infantry rifleman with the Marine Corps in support of Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm. He holds a bar membership in the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals.

Deputy Chief Richard Conant | Began his career as police officer in 1991, and graduated from LASD academy. He was promoted to sergeant in 2006, lieutenant in 2011 and commander in 2015. In his new position, he will lead the investigations bureau. He has a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from CSULB.

Photo courtesy of LBPD.