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Jim McDonnell selected as new Los Angeles Police Department chief
A law enforcement vacancy in Los Angeles was filled Friday morning after a months-long search.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass announced the hiring of Jim McDonnell as the new chief of the Los Angeles Police Department.
My colleagues Libor Jany, Richard Winton, David Zahniser, and Dakota Smith covered the hiring and added critical reporting on the selection.
With the huge security challenges of the World Cup and Olympics on the horizon, Bass’ selection of McDonnell gives him a veteran presence.
At Friday’s press conference, Mr. Bass said he had spoken to several of Mr. McDonnell’s former colleagues. They described him as honest and “a man of integrity.”
“These are the essential leadership traits we need to continue to transform our department while addressing the near and far challenges we will face in the years ahead,” Bass said.
Who is Jim McDonnell?
Mr. McDonnell often appeared on television as the public face of the department as deputy chief under Secretary William J. “Bill” Bratton.
All told, McDonnell spent 28 years with the Los Angeles Police Department.
He joined the Los Angeles Police Department in 1981 at the age of 21 and rose through the ranks in the patrol, detective, vice detective, gang, organized crime, and homicide divisions.
He previously applied twice for the Los Angeles Police Department chief position, losing to Bratton in 2002 and Charlie Beck in 2009. He was appointed Long Beach Police Chief in March 2010.
In 2014, he was elected Los Angeles County Sheriff to replace longtime Sheriff Lee Baca, who retired after a series of scandals.
He served one term as L.A. County Sheriff before being succeeded by Alex Villanueva in a stunning upset in the race for a seat that had not been defeated by an incumbent in more than 100 years. He then joined the exodus of senior law enforcement officials to academia.
Mr. McDonnell currently serves as director of the Safe Communities Institute at the USC Price School of Public Policy.
He was one of three finalists selected from more than 25 applicants by the Civilian Police Commission to lead one of the nation’s largest police departments.
For McDonnell, the hire was a much-needed vindication.
“I love this city, and I understand the modern challenges our police officers face in protecting it,” McDonnell said in a statement. “It is an honor to lead the men and women of the Los Angeles Police Department, and I will work hard to ensure they are supported in their efforts to keep Angelenos safe.”
What do the critics say?
Some critics say that while Mr. McDonnell was an effective leader as sheriff, he did not do enough to address the problems that surfaced during Baca’s administration.
In Long Beach, McDonnell’s force was much smaller than the Los Angeles Police Department but faced similar concerns about staffing shortages. He has also been criticized for the increase in police-involved shootings and the beating of an unarmed man in 2013.
What are our supporters saying?
The Los Angeles Police Protective League, which represents about 8,800 police officers, also expressed support.
“We have full confidence in Chief McDonnell’s ability to appoint a senior commander who will commit to improving public safety in the City of Los Angeles, disrupting the status quo, and opening a new chapter for the LAPD,” the union said. said. said the board of directors in a statement.
Former LAPD Chief Charlie Beck said McDonnell “brings a depth of experience and knowledge that is absolutely unmatched.” His leadership will successfully guide and shape the future of law enforcement in Los Angeles and across the nation. ”
Former assistant. Mayor Horace Frank praised McDonnell’s “moral and intellectual qualities” and said: “This is a bold decision on the part of the mayor and she deserves great credit.”
Miriam Krinsky, a former federal prosecutor and former executive director of the County Citizens Commission on Prison Violence, called McDonnell a “true public servant” who provided both an insider and outsider perspective on law enforcement. He was described as a person who possesses
For rental details, please see our coverage details.
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When kindergarten teacher Cynthia Farrow was looking for a community where she could buy a home with enough space to raise her family and a few horses, she came to Little Rock, a sunny desert town in the Antelope Valley. settled in. “It was priced out of so many places outside of here in AV,” Farrow said of Antelope Valley. “This was a dream place, we found a community here. But sadly it also attracted other people here.” Conditionally released on parole For correctional authorities and courts in the state considering relocating recently released former sex offenders, affordability, low population density, and space between homes and lots (measured in acres) (often) is also attractive.
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Eventually I got the courage to confess my love to her.. She listened patiently when I went to her house and told her how I felt and expressed my belief that we would get married someday. Susan sat quietly and listened, gently explaining that she didn’t feel the same way. She said she hoped we could remain friends. Naturally, I was devastated, but somehow I thought this was just a temporary setback.
Have a great weekend! From the Essential California team
Reporter Andrew J. Campa
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