Long Beach Police Department

Long Beach Police Chief Wally Hebeish has announced the promotion of Lieutenant Paul Baum to the rank of commander. This promotion is effective May 16, 2026.

“I am pleased to announce that I am promoting Lieutenant Baum to the position of Commander,” said Chief of Police Wally Hebeish. “Lieutenant Baum has demonstrated strong leadership, a commitment to our community, and valuable experience across a variety of assignments. I am confident he will continue to play an important role in advancing our mission and supporting the success of our department.”

Commander Baum began his career with the Long Beach Police Department as a police officer in 2000. He was promoted to sergeant in 2010, to lieutenant in 2015, and to commander in 2026.

Commander Baum has worked a variety of assignments, including patrol, Field Training Officer, Directed Enforcement, Special Weapons and Tactics, Patrol Sergeant, Special Weapons and Tactics Sergeant, Internal Affairs Sergeant, Patrol Lieutenant, Special Enforcement Lieutenant, Airport Police Lieutenant, Port Police Lieutenant, and Drug Investigations Lieutenant. Before his promotion, he served as the Adult Investigations Lieutenant within the Detectives Division.

Commander Baum holds a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from California State University, Long Beach. He is a graduate of the Sherman Block Supervisory Leadership Institute. He is the recipient of five Long Beach Police Department Unit Citations, the Meritorious Class A award for an active shooter incident, and the SWAT Commitment to Excellence Award.

To read more, visit the Command Staff website https://longbeach.gov/police/about-the-lbpd/command-staff/.