Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass selected on Friday former LA County Sheriff Jim McDonnell to head the Los Angeles Police Department.
Bass made the announcement during a press conference heralding the new police chief as “a leader, an innovator, and a change maker.”
“I’m appointing Chief McDonell because he and I have aligned in our desire to change the direction of Los Angeles by preventing crime in the first place, responding urgently when crime takes place, and to hold people accountable and bring down crime,” she said.
Though Bass said her “national search” for a new police chief stemmed from a desire “to take LA in a new direction” and “transform” the LAPD, McDonnell is a longtime department insider. He spent decades rising the LAPD ranks before ascending to his newest role, which he previously applied for twice unsuccessfully.
Leader. Innovator. Change maker.
This morning, I announced my selection of Jim McDonnell to serve as the next Chief of the LAPD.
We will strengthen and grow the Department.
We will build on relationships with communities.
We will ensure L.A. is vigilant and prepared for… pic.twitter.com/SCfJHHkWvX— Mayor Karen Bass (@MayorOfLA) October 4, 2024
After working with the LAPD for 28 years and achieving the rank of first assistant chief under Chief William J. Bratton, McDonnell most recently became the LA County Sheriff in 2014, though he lost his 2018 reelection bid.
The new police chief will face a myriad of challenges. Although Bass has said she wants to boost law enforcement levels significantly in California’s most populated city, data show the LAPD is struggling to regroup from record-low recruitment levels.
Meanwhile, crime and record levels of homelessness continue to plague the city. Los Angeles has experienced only a slight drop in homelessness after Bass poured more than $250 million into efforts targeting the crisis.
Now, McDonnell will head the law enforcement response to laws pertaining to homelessness and crime. His new status as chief follows former LAPD Chief Michel Moore’s decision to leave the position earlier this year after 42 years in the police force.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
For months, Bass has searched for Moore’s replacement, deciding on McDonnell out of a pool of three finalists recommended by the civilian Police Commission.
The LA City Council is still required to confirm McDonnell. However, its full approval is expected.