Despite facing opposition from some immigrant rights advocates and other activists, on November 8th, the Los Angeles City Council confirmed Jim McDonnell, former Los Angeles County Sheriff, as the 59th Chief of the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD).
According to the city news agency, the Los Angeles City Council approved Mayor Karen Bass’s nomination of McDonnell by a vote of 11 to 2. McDonnell will lead the LAPD to address significant security challenges in the coming years, as the city is set to host eight World Cup matches in 2026, the Super Bowl in 2027, and the Olympics in 2028.
McDonnell stated that he will focus on addressing LAPD’s recruitment challenges, improving morale, and reducing issues related to officer misconduct claims.
Los Angeles council members Hugo Soto-Martinez and Eunisses Hernandez opposed McDonnell’s appointment, citing concerns from the immigrant community about policies during his tenure as Los Angeles County Sheriff from 2014 to 2018 when he allowed Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents access to county jails.
In 2017, McDonnell also opposed California’s SB54 bill, which designated the state as a sanctuary and restricted law enforcement agencies from cooperating with federal immigration authorities.
In response, McDonnell expressed commitment to upholding California’s SB54 and the California Values Act. The latter, effective since 2018, prevents state law enforcement agencies from using resources at the request of federal immigration enforcement agencies.
When questioned by council members, McDonnell stated, “We are not going to be in concert with ICE on immigration issues,” emphasizing his stance.
In fact, according to the Mayor’s office data, before McDonnell’s appointment as County Sheriff in 2013, the department released 7,842 inmates to ICE. After McDonnell’s tenure began, this number decreased to 820, marking a 90% reduction.
Mayor Bass remarked in a statement, “Los Angeles is an immigrant city, and I believe Jim McDonnell can protect our city. He possesses the skills and empathy needed to build trust with every community, and I know he is dedicated to this.”
The Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce expressed support for McDonnell, believing that his leadership will be “crucial” as Los Angeles hosts major sporting events.
The Los Angeles Police Protective League, representing rank-and-file officers, congratulated McDonnell on his mission to “improve officer morale, enhance recruitment and retention, and restore the shattered discipline system within the department.”
McDonnell is a seasoned professional who has served in the department for 29 years, having held positions such as Assistant Chief, Long Beach Police Chief, Los Angeles County Sheriff, and now, the Los Angeles City Police Chief.
Initially, the new Chief’s salary was set at $507,000, but earlier this week, considering concerns about the city budget, the Police Commission lowered it to $450,000. The City Council later approved his salary.
This salary still exceeds the previous Los Angeles City Police Chief Michel Moore’s $436,000 annual salary, as well as Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna’s around $397,000 annual salary, and even surpasses President Joe Biden’s $400,000 annual salary.
The salary of the Los Angeles City Police Chief also significantly exceeds that of the New York City Police Chief (approximately $243,000), Chicago Police Chief ($260,000), and Houston Police Chief ($315,000).