Long Beach : 27-Year Veteran Luman Named Police Chief

Crowning a 27-year climb through the Long Beach Police Department, Deputy Chief Bob Luman will replace retiring Chief William C. Ellis on March 2, City Manager Jim Hankla announced Friday.

Hankla said he selected Luman, 49, from among seven top department officials because of his broad experience, listening skills and “low-key” approach.

Luman said that succeeding Ellis, who has been widely praised for boosting morale and helping reduce crime, means stepping into some big shoes: “Size 12, literally and figuratively.”

Nevertheless, Luman said he is looking forward to carrying on the community policing programs that Ellis created before announcing his retirement in November. His biggest challenge, Luman said, will be to maintain the reduction in the city’s crime rate.

But other challenges await Luman, including balancing the demands of the city’s diverse neighborhoods. Lately, some in Long Beach’s black communities have urged that the Plice Department hire more black officers, just as the city’s Cambodian community wants more officers who are fluent in Khmer.

Sgt. Mike White, new president of the city’s Police Officers Assn., said Luman would not have been his choice, but that Luman is “an upfront person” who will help smooth talks as the union and management head into contract negotiations.

Luman, born and raised in Long Beach, has headed the department’s patrol, detective and administration bureaus since his promotion to deputy chief in 1989. Both his children--Robert Jr., 29, and Elisa, 25--are patrol officers in the department.