Southeast : Police Chief to Retire After 31 Years on Force
Long Beach Police Chief William C. Ellis has announced he will retire in March after 31 years on the force.
Ellis has been the city’s top cop for the last four years. He took over leadership of the department after Lawrence L. Binkley was fired.
The 53-year-old chief inherited a troubled force, but on Tuesday city officials credited Ellis with improving morale and bringing more officers to the city. They also praised Ellis for cutting crime.
Ellis joined the department as a patrol officer in 1965. He said he is proud of his work as chief, adding that he has created an atmosphere where “officers can focus on their jobs.â€
But, he said, “it’s time to look on to other things.†Ellis plans to spend time with his family and do some consulting work.
“He has done a remarkable job,†said City Councilman Mike Donelon.
A successor has not been named, but Donelon said it is important the city quickly find a new chief who can work with Ellis during the transition. Donelon also emphasized that to keep morale up, the new chief should be promoted from within the Long Beach force.
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