Los Angeles Council Committee to Review and Vote on McDonnell’s Nomination for LAPD Chief

LOS ANGELES (CNS) — A City Council committee will meet Tuesday to consider Mayor Karen Bass’ nomination of former Los Angeles County Sheriff James McDonnell to become the next Los Angeles Police Chief.

The five-member Public Safety Committee will meet for a special meeting Tuesday in the City Hall meeting room. City Council members will have the opportunity to question McDonnell and weigh in on his plans to lead the nation’s third-largest police department.

On October 4, Bass announced McDonnell as her candidate to lead the Los Angeles Police Department, replacing former Chief Michel Moore, who retired in February. Dominic Choi served as interim chief.

McDonnell was one of three finalists for the position, along with LAPD Deputy Chief Emada Tingiridis and former Assistant Chief Robert “Bobby” Arcos, who worked in District Attorney George Gascón’s office as chief of investigations.

Bass described McDonnell as “one of America’s finest policing professionals” and a “nationally recognized thought leader in public safety.” She expressed confidence that McDonnell will keep Los Angeles safe as the region hosts major sporting events in the coming years.

Some observers expected Bass to choose either a woman or a Hispanic to be chief, both of whom would be the first. But in the end she decided on McDonnell, who is white.

“Black Lives Matter—Los Angeles is both alarmed and outraged by the mayor’s choice,” BLM-LA said in a statement released Oct. 7. political ambitions come before the interests of society.”

But Bass defended her choice, saying public safety is her top priority.

“Our city has a lot of work to do to prepare and welcome the world,” Bass previously said. “The most important thing to me, as I said from the beginning, is keeping this city safe. We needed, and I feel very confident in, one of the best law enforcement professionals in our country who would be willing to return to the department. and to lead us at a time when the department needs to transform internally, the city needs to feel safe and we need to be prepared to welcome the world, and I feel very strong and confident in this decision.”

McDonnell served with the LAPD for 29 years and held several positions, including first assistant chief of police, before retiring in 2010 to lead the Long Beach Police Department, where he served for nearly five years.

In 2014, McDonnell was elected as the 32nd sheriff of Los Angeles County.

McDonnell has previously stated that his goals are to improve public safety in the city, “restore our department to full strength” and “strengthen public trust, the foundation of everything we do,” as well as develop relationships with the community while ensuring “respectful and constitutional attitude.” police practice.”

In September, the mayor’s office released the results of a survey intended to help select the next police chief. The summary reflects various efforts to gather input on the search, including months of meetings and input from hundreds of LAPD officers, community and business leaders.

Poor morale and a perceived “disconnect” between officers and department leadership are two key issues that McDonnell, if confirmed by the City Council, will have to address.

Other groups emphasized a desire for “open and transparent” leadership and support for de-escalation tactics. Business leaders have called for a more visible police presence in key high-traffic areas to prevent thefts.