City Manager Pat West announced on Friday that the position of interim Police Chief will go to Commander Billy Quach, a 22-year veteran of the Long Beach Police Department who will begin his new role on Friday October 23. Quach will serve as interim Chief until West completes his nationwide search for a new permanent Chief, in the wake of former Chief Tony Batts’ departure to head the Oakland Police Department.

The announcement is mostly significant because of the officers who were not named interim Chief, ironically. The interim Chief cannot be named the permanent Chief, and the Grunion Gazette reported last week that West is likely to promote from within rather than hire from outside the Department. Considered front-runners are current Deputy Chiefs J.J. Craig, William Blair, and especially Robert Luna—who was often alongside Chief Batts publicly and regularly addressed the media. Commander Jorge Cisneros—Batts’ right hand assistant—is also a possible replacement.

Interim Chief Quach himself has a stellar record. Beginning his career with the LBPD in 1987, Quach currently is a Division Commander in the North patrol, but has also served the same position in the East and West. He is a graduate of the CSULB Master’s program, as well as West Point’s Leadership program and the FBI National Academy. In his 22 years, Quach has worked in Communications, Sex Crimes, Child Abuse, Vice, and in all four Patrol Divisions.

A press release from the City Manager’s office last Friday indicates that the search for a new Chief will take three months.