The search for a new Police Chief will be extended to include candidates from outside the Long Beach Police Department, the firm conducting the recruitment process announced yesterday evening.
Previously, the search included only current officers within the LBPD, or former LBPD officers. Yesterday’s announcement from Alliance Resource Consulting reveals that the search will now be open to candidates from other California cities as well.
Recruitment will continue until December 31 of this year, and a new Chief could be selected by February.
It is unclear how the expansion will affect the search for a new Chief.
Debbie Mills, acting director of Human Relations for the City of Long Beach, told the lbpost.com today that the search could be concluded in February. Mills said she is unsure whether the announcement to expand the search will create a greater number of candidates, or whether it would lengthen the process. She did say that the City has received a number of unsolicited applications for the position.
“It’s clear that there’s an interest out there,” she said.
Mills said that Eric Middleton of Alliance Resource Consulting is conducting the recruitment, and that his next step will be to screen candidates and arrange an interview panel.
Tony Batts resigned from his position as Chief of Police in August – after seven years as Chief and 27 overall with the LBPD – to become the Chief of Police in Oakland. Commander Billy Quach is currently serving as interim Chief of Police and is therefore ineligible to become the new permanent chief.