LONG BEACH - Long Beach's new Chief of Police will be officially sworn in March 13.

Jim McDonnell, who is still finishing out his tenure at the Los Angeles Police Department, has been meeting with Long Beach Police officers and civilian staff so that he will be ready to "hit the ground running," following swearing in.

The ceremony is scheduled for 10 a.m. at the Terrace Theatre, 300 E. Ocean Blvd., and is open to the public.

The more than 30-year veteran of the LAPD, who achieved the rank of second in command under former LAPD Chief Bill Bratton, was chosen in January as the replacement for former Chief Anthony Batts.

McDonnell, a married father of two daughters who lives in Long Beach, was selected from a field of at least seven applicants, including five internal applicants made up of the LBPD's highest ranking officers.

Batts announced his decision to become Oakland's police chief in August. At the time of Batts' departure, West said the search for his replacement would be internal due to the caliber of the candidate pool and to save costs.

West changed his mind shortly after the internal candidates filed their applications on the original deadline of Dec. 11, announcing the decision to open the search to outsiders the following Monday.

That move spawned a major controversy within the Long Beach Police Department. Many officers read the decision to open the search after the internal candidates applied as a slap in the face to the department's brass.

While upset with West's decision, the vast majority of officers have expressed a great deal of respect for McDonnell and look forward to working with him, said Long Beach Police Officers Association President Steve James.