Anthony W. Batts is the Chief of Police for the Long Beach Police Department.  He began his career with the Long Beach Police Department over two decades ago.  Prior to joining Long Beach, he was an Explorer Scout with the Los Angeles Police Department, a police cadet with the Santa Monica Police Department, and a reserve officer with the Hawthorne Police Department.

He was hired by the Long Beach Police Department as a Community Relations Assistant in 1982 before being accepted into the Police Academy as a recruit officer that same year.  Chief Batts assumed the position of Chief of Police of California’s fifth largest city on October 26, 2002.  He is responsible for a staff of 1,500 employees and a budget of approximately $170 million, with a customer base of 495,000 residents.  Long Beach boasts one of the world’s largest and busiest ports, two large marinas, a national airport, three college campuses and the home to the annual Toyota Grand Prix street race.

Chief Batts holds a Doctorate in Public Administration, a Master’s Degree in Business Management, and a Bachelor of Science in Law Enforcement Administration.  In addition, he is a graduate of the following executive programs:  Harvard University’s Executive Development Course, FBI’s National Executive Institute, Police Executive Training Course, University of Southern California’s Delinquency Control Institute, FBI’s National Academy, Leadership Long Beach, Law Enforcement Command College, and International Association of Chiefs of Police S.W.A.T. Commander School.  In addition, Chief Batts has attended numerous terrorism training courses around the world addressing ports, airports, entertainment venues and light rail transportation systems.

Chief Batts has received numerous awards and commendations for heroism, crime reduction, community activism, and innovative programs at the local, state, and national level.

He serves on the Board of Directors for the Boy Scouts of America, and the Long Beach Children’s Clinic.  Chief Batts serves as the Chair of the POST (Peace Officer Standards & Training) Commission, the Los Angeles County Chiefs Association, the California Police Chiefs Association, the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE), and the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF).

Chief Batts is the father of three children:  one daughter and two sons.  In his spare time, he enjoys traveling, and attending jazz concerts and sporting events across the United States.