Administrator
Karen Owens

Over the past two decades, Administrator Karen Owens has established herself as an effective leader with a demonstrated commitment to communication, teamwork and innovation. 

In October 2009, Karen was selected as the commanding officer of the Long Beach Police Department’s Personnel Division.  As the Personnel Administrator, she is responsible for managing all human resources related responsibilities within the Police Department including payroll, employee benefits workers compensation, staffing and vacancy analysis, employee safety, OSHA compliance, and the coordination of promotional exams.  She also ensures departmental adherence to State and Federal laws and to City policies and procedures; coordinates compliance with four different union contracts, and serves as the department liaison to the City Attorney’s Office, Civil Service, Occupational Health and the City’s Human Resource Department. 

Karen began her career with the Police Department in October of 1990 as a Police Services Assistant and was selected as the department's first civilian Public Information Officer in 1993. In 1999, Karen was promoted to the Administrator of Community Relations. As the division’s Administrator, Karen was responsible for developing and managing a wide variety of programs and assignments in the areas of Crime Prevention, Public Relations, Media Relations, and Volunteer Services. She served as the department’s spokesperson to the media for over 15 years and provides Media Relations and Crisis Communication training to the Long Beach Police Academy and to other local law enforcement and government organizations.

Karen holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice from California State University, Long Beach and a Master's Degree in Conflict Management and Negotiation from California State University, Dominguez Hills. She is a member of numerous professional organizations and has served as a Board Member for a variety of non-profit organizations throughout the community. Karen is a graduate of the Leadership Long Beach Class of 1997 and currently serves as the Police Department’s Liaison to the Long Beach Police Foundation.

Karen and her husband, Rob, live in Long Beach with their son, Drew. She is an avid traveler and also enjoys reading, movies, and spending time with family and friends.