Jim McDonnell, who previously held the role of assistant chief with the LAPD, has been appointed as the new Los Angeles Police Department chief, a position announced by Mayor Karen Bass at a Friday morning news conference at City Hall. McDonnell, with a background that includes serving as LA County Sheriff and leading the Long Beach Police Department, steps into his new role as the LAPD's 59th chief of police amid a time when public safety and police-community relations are at the forefront of city concerns. "Chief McDonnell is a leader, an innovator, and a change maker," Mayor Bass said, emphasizing her intent to ensure that "Angelenos and our neighborhoods are safer today than yesterday," according to the official announcement from the Mayor's office.
Having begun his law enforcement career at LAPD over four decades ago, McDonnell comes equipped with extensive experience; he's known for having held every rank from officer to the department's second-in-command, and his tenure as sheriff was marked by a dedicated effort to restore public trust and implement systems of accountability during challenging times, McDonnell intends to focus on enhancing public safety, rebuilding LAPD's strength through assertive recruitment and retention strategies, and fostering deeper community relationships, as spelled out in his stated goals outlined in the mayor's press release.
The selection process, which began after the retirement of former Chief Michel Moore in February, involved a nationwide search conducted alongside an executive recruiting firm and the Board of Police Commissioners which then relayed the top three candidates to the Mayor's office for final selection. In a statement gained by NBC Los Angeles, McDonnell expressed his approach by stating, "The way to move past that is to re-engage with the community in a different way, maybe, than we have traditionally," and emphasized partnership, collaboration, transparency, and inclusion.
In addition to addressing current challenges, Cheng McDonnell and Mayor Bass also recognized the unique opportunity for Los Angeles to enhance its stature as it gears up to host prominent international events like the FIFA World Cup in 2026 and the Summer Olympics two years later, accounts by both KTLA and CBS News Los Angeles included mentions of the chief-elect's commitment to ensuring that the department and the city are primed for these world-stage events. McDonnell's extensive qualifications and dedication showcase him as the figure eager to steer the LAPD into a future that resonates with both the voices of the community and the demands of contemporary policing.
