The Press-Telegram reports this morning that City Manager Pat West’s search for the next Long Beach Police Chief is heating up after last week’s announcement by West to extend the search process to include candidates from outside the department. Previously, the search included only current LBPD officers or former LBPD officers. The reaction by the rank and file is adding pressure to the process.
According to the Press-Telegram: To many members of the police force, it came across as an insult to the internal candidates and smacked of back door deals. Some officers were so outraged they have started a petition demanding that the process include only internal candidates. Even to some outsiders, it seemed odd to modify the search so late in the process.
A number of police officers, all speaking on condition of anonymity, said they heard LAPD Deputy Chief Jim McDonnell was referred to the city manager by County Supervisor Don Knabe and that West later met with the applicant.
Click here to read the Press-Telegram story.