LONG BEACH : Acting Police Chief Picked for Job

Long Beach Deputy Police Chief William C. Ellis, a 27-year veteran of the department, was picked Wednesday to head the embattled agency.

Ellis, 49, has been the department’s acting chief since December, when City Manager James C. Hankla removed Chief Lawrence L. Binkley from his post. Binkley was fired in January following allegations by high-ranking commanders that his management of employees was vindictive and heavy-handed.

Ellis said his first goal as chief of the state’s fifth-largest police department will be to increase the number of officers on the streets. Recently, Ellis transferred 21 officers from desk jobs to street patrols and restructured beats. He is also considering eliminating bureaus and reducing the number of commanders to streamline the department, Ellis said.

Ellis will head a department that is fighting for its survival as city officials consider abolishing the 685-member agency and hiring the Sheriff’s Department.

Although the proposal has prompted the police union to start a public relations campaign, Ellis said he does not expect the issue to hurt the department. “I don’t look at myself in competition with the sheriff’s (department),” Ellis said.

“We’re going to go about doing our task as best we can.”

Ellis, whose previous assignments have included chief of the detective and administrative bureaus, will earn $100,000 a year, Hankla said.