Q & A : Challenges Facing the New Chief

* William C. Ellis, 49, named chief of the Long Beach Police Department on March 4. He had been acting chief since December.

* Changing of the guard: Ellis replaces Lawrence L. Binkley, who was fired by City Manager James C. Hankla in January. Binkley’s five-year tenure was marked by friction with the rank and file.

* Background: Ellis is a 27-year veteran of the Long Beach Police Department who has worked in many divisions, including patrol, detectives, internal affairs, communications and traffic. He has a bachelor of science degree in criminology from Cal State Long Beach.

* Interviewer: Times Staff Writer Roxana Kopetman.

Q: What are the most pressing problems facing the Police Department, and what are your plans for attacking them?

A: The most pressing problems are providing adequate patrol services, a quick response time in calls for services, and building a closer relationship between the department and the community.

The method of resolving those, for the first two, is to put additional officers on the street. . . . We put 21 (more) officers--from investigation and community relations--on the streets.

As far as building a closer relationship with the community, we’re working with all the community groups that we have established relationships with (such as Latinos, blacks, Asians and gays).

Q: Since many of those transfers are coming from the detective bureau, won’t they cause a backlog in investigations?

A: Hopefully not. They were from our criminal apprehension unit and from community relations. . . . They didn’t have a heavy assigned caseload.

I sat down and met with the commander of the detective bureau, and he indicated he could maintain service levels and lose these positions.

Q: City Manager James C. Hankla has asked you to keep this year’s budget at the same level as last year’s--$91 million. How will that affect the department and its crime-fighting efforts?

A: The budget will allow us to stay at about the same level for staffing, and I think we’ll be able to adequately meet the needs of the city. . . . You have to understand that I have not yet presented the budget to the city manager, so anything I tell you basically is going to be very skimpy until I present it to him.

Q: Gang killings have continued to rise in the city, giving Long Beach a black eye. How do you plan to lower gangrelated crimes?

A: We have our gang unit (20 officers) focused on dealing with specific target areas where we have identified gang problems. And we’re attempting to keep the pressure on those gangs. Hopefully, with more officers on the street, that will provide us with additional help to control the gang situation.

Q: Realistically, do you have much hope that Long Beach police can lower gang-related crimes?

A: I’m always hopeful. I think there are things we can do. But a police agency alone cannot eliminate gangs.

What you have to realize is that we’re seeing the people who have come through the system and cannot conform to society’s standards. . . . We get them as the end product. And we can’t alone resolve the problem. It’s one the entire community has to take on. . . . As one cog in a big wheel, I don’t think we’re capable alone of resolving the gang problem society faces.

Q: You’ve assumed the reins of the department after a turbulent period. What lessons have you learned from the controversies surrounding your predecessor, Chief Lawrence L. Binkley?

A: It was a difficult time for the organization to go through. Hopefully, I will be perceptive enough to identify problems within the organization, and that both my peers and my subordinates will point out to me pitfalls that may create a problem for me.

Q: Did you know anything about the secret investigations of public officials?

A No.

Q: What is your policy on that issue?

A The city manager and I have a very clear understanding that if I come across any information on elected officials that the appropriate avenue is to deal with the district attorney’s office, which has a special office to deal with those types of problems.

Q: Chief Binkley, who came from the Los Angeles police, often said that the rank and file never accepted him as a Long Beach cop. Do you think it’s important to have the chief come from the ranks? Has it made a difference in your case?

A: I think it’s very helpful in managing an organization if you have an understanding of the organization’s history and the personnel who make it up. . . . I think it provides me with an advantage of knowing most all of the people in the organization, understanding where the department has come from and having a feel for the city as a whole.

Q: How would you describe your management style?

A . . . .I think I’m open and accepting of input from all levels of the organization.

Q: Your predecessor had a reputation for appeasing many in the community-- particularly minority groups--while antagonizing officers to the point of a no-confidence vote and graffiti in the department’s restroom walls. How do you intend to balance the interest of the community while keeping the troops happy?

A: I don’t see it as a balancing act at all. I see our mission as that of providing service to the community and to all areas of the community. And as part of that mission of providing service, we need police officers, the chief of police, the civilian employees here . . . to work together for one common goal. And it’s my task to focus them on that common goal, to work together with the employees’ organization and employee groups.

Q: What would you say to blacks, Latinos and other minority groups to assure them that Long Beach police will not violate their civil rights?

A: . . . .Our officers are trained and dedicated to providing the highest level of service we possibly can. We strive to do our work in a professional manner. And we will be vigilant to ensure that all our officers comply with all the laws, rules and regulations placed before them.

Q: Are there any lessons in the Rodney King brutality case for police officers?

A: The lesson that we always have to remember, and that this is just a reminder of, is that we are not, as law enforcement officers, charged with administering justice in the streets. It’s our responsibility to enforce the law and use only that force that is necessary to accomplish that task.

Q: You’ve become chief of police at a time when city officials are considering abolishing the Long Beach Police Department. What do you think of that proposal?

A: I have a great deal of pride in this organization and a great deal of pride in the employees who go out every day and risk their lives for the citizens of Long Beach. I feel we’re capable of providing the best law enforcement service available. However, the decision is not mine to make. . . .

Q: How has the proposal affected morale among officers?

A I think all the employees of the department are concerned for their future, but I think they’re mindful of the fact they still have a job to do. They put that before their concerns for individual personal security.

Q: The Police Officers Assn. has kicked off a public relations campaign. What have you done or what will you do to help the department put forth its best face?

A: I think the most important thing we, as a department, can do is have our officers interact as much as possible with members of the community, and that one-on-one interaction, establishing personal relationships, is the best thing we can do to build a good image for now and in the future.