Police Chief Tony Batts Leaves Long Beach Day After Budget Presentation

I just received news that Long Beach Police Chief Tony Batts is leaving Long Beach just the day after he presented a budget to the City Council that included serious cuts to police services.

He will be the new Police Chief of Oakland.

First of all, good luck to Chief Batts. Oakland has serious problems and they need serious help.

Secondly, I understand our City Manager knew about his potential leaving and failed to tell the City Council -- especially as we listened to the outgoing Chief's serious cuts to a department he will no longer command.

So, now the City of Long Beach needs to get in place a new Police Chief that will stand up to management and not allow his department to be cut.