Long Beach Police Chief to Retire in 2026
Police Chief Wally Hebeish will conclude his tenure with the department on December 31, 2026.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Law Enforcement
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Long Beach Police Chief Wally Hebeish has announced his plan to retire from his position on December 31, 2026. This announcement follows his long-standing career with the Long Beach Police Department.
Why it matters
Hebeish's upcoming retirement marks the end of a multi-decade career in law enforcement that has spanned multiple regional departments. His departure will conclude a tenure as chief that began in 2021.
Chief Wally Hebeish will step down on December 31, 2026, ending a command role he held since December 2021. His career with the Long Beach Police Department officially began in 1995.
The players
Wally Hebeish
He is the current police chief of the Long Beach Police Department who will retire at the end of 2026.
Long Beach Police Department
This is the municipal law enforcement agency responsible for public safety in Long Beach.
Orange County Sheriff's Department
This is the regional law enforcement agency where Hebeish began his professional career.
The details
Hebeish first entered law enforcement through the Orange County Sheriff's Department before joining the Long Beach Police Department in 1995. The department formally communicated his scheduled retirement date to the public.
Timeline
Hebeish joined the Long Beach police force in 1995.
Hebeish assumed the role of police chief in December 2021.
Hebeish will officially retire from the department on December 31, 2026.
Legal Context
This retirement marks the conclusion of a leadership cycle that began following the 2021 transition of the Long Beach Police Chief role. It reflects the standard evolution of executive leadership within Southern California law enforcement agencies.
Residents should anticipate a transition in command over the next two years as the city manages the search for new leadership. The department remains fully operational and continues its standard enforcement duties as scheduled.
The takeaway
Hebeish leaves behind a decades-long legacy in local law enforcement. Residents can monitor future city council sessions for updates on the selection process for the next chief.
What happens next
The department will hold the position open until Hebeish steps down on December 31, 2026.
Further reading
For more information on local department updates, see Law Enforcement.
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Will the upcoming change in police leadership lead to better public safety in your community?
