Former sheriff becomes new LAPD chief

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LOS ANGELES – The law enforcement career of Jim McDonnell has come full circle. The man who began as an officer with the Los Angeles Police Department 43 years ago before eventually becoming chief at the Long Beach Police Department, and then sheriff with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, has returned to lead the organization where it all began.

On Friday, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass announced that McDonnell has been selected as the new chief of LAPD. Outgoing Chief Michel Moore retired in February. Dominic Choi then served as interim chief, KTLA reported.

McDonnell began his law enforcement career with LAPD in 1981. He proceeded to serve the department for 29 years, moving up the ladder to First Assistant Chief of Police. He retired from LAPD in 2010 to become the Chief of the Long Beach Police Department, where he served for more than four years before becoming Los Angeles County Sheriff from 2014-2018.

“I love this city and I understand the modern day challenges our officers face trying to protect it,” McDonnell said during the press conference. “Standing before you here today is a dream realized. It’s a tremendous honor to lead the men and women of the LAPD.”

His goals for the city include, enhancing public safety, growing LAPD back to full strength with an emphasis on recruiting and retention, enhancing public trust through community relationships, as well as ensuring respectful and constitutional policing practices, reported KTLA.

McDonnell is assuming command with two major events looming; the 2026 World Cup and the 2028 Olympic Games. Bass expressed confidence in McDonnell’s leadership to keep Los Angeles safe during those events.

“To me, what is most important, as I said from the beginning, is keeping the city safe. We need it and I feel very confident in one of the top law enforcement professionals in our country who is willing to come back to the department and lead us in a time the department internally needs to be transformed, the city needs to feel safe, and we need to prepare to welcome the world,” Bass explained.