5:01pm | The Long Beach Police Department has announced that Deputy Chief Jeffrey J. “J.J.” Craig, a 29-year LBPD veteran, will be leaving the department at the end of the month after accepting the position of chief of police with the Victoria Police Department in Texas.

Craig is set to start his new post the second week of August, according to information provided by LBPD spokeswoman Lisa Massacani.

“I was born and raised in Long Beach and have spent my entire adult life here at the Long Beach Police Department,” Craig said in a statement. “The skills and experience I gained have prepared me well for my new role.”  

Craig joined the LBPD in 1982 and started out as a patrol officer. From there he was transferred to the Drug Investigations Section. In 1988, he was promoted to the rank of sergeant and moved on to the Gang Enforcement Section before joining the Metropolitan Division, where he became a member of the Special Weapons and Tactics Team.
 
Craig was promoted to lieutenant in 1997 and oversaw the Field Support Division before moving on to the Investigations Bureau, where he oversaw the Vice and Career Criminal Apprehension Team.  In 2000, Craig became a commander and was put in charge of the Communications Division before becoming the commander over LBPD’s West Patrol Division.
 
As a commander, Craig also worked as the chief of staff under former Chief Anthony Batts, and for the Field Support Division. After being promoted to the position of deputy chief, he oversaw the Patrol Bureau before moving to his present position in the Support Bureau.
 
Massacani said Craig’s many years of experience in a variety of positions is augmented by numerous academic training accomplishments, and he is regarded as a “very valued” member of the LBPD. 
She described him as a “well-respected leader.”

Craig added that besides missing the department and the people of LOng Beach, he will also miss the California weather. 

“But my family and I are looking forward to making Victoria our new home,” he said.
 
Chief Jim McDonnell said Craig will leave behind “some big shoes to fill.”
“As a department, we take pride in building great leaders and share in their success when they move on to take the helm of other agencies,” the chief said in a statement. “But the flip side of that is the fact that he will be missed.”

Craig’s upcoming departure will mark the 11th LBPD employee to accept the position of chief of police with another agency.