LOS ANGELES (CNS) – In a ceremonial formality, Mayor Karen Bass Thursday swore in former L.A. County Sheriff Jim McDonnell as 59th chief of the Los Angeles Police Department.
In an event at Elysian Park Academy, north of downtown Los Angeles, elected officials and dignitaries witnessed as McDonnell’s wife, Kathy, pinned the chief’s badge onto him. Following a standing ovation, McDonnell laid out his priorities within his first 90 days as new leader of the third-largest law- enforcement in the nation.
“As chief of police, I stand ready to work with you to face our challenges head on and to move forward together with courage, compassion and a clear vision as we embark on this new chapter,” McDonnell said.
“I’m committed to strengthening public confidence in the LAPD through community based innovative policing that prioritizes the needs and concerns of our residents. Our focus will be on building trust through transparency, accountability and a commitment to every voice in every neighborhood,” he added.
As chief, his first 90 days will focus on listening, evaluating and planning, he noted. McDonnell is expected to meet with various stakeholders for this “listening period,” which he says will shape the department’s priorities and refine its approach to public safety.
His priorities as chief will be to address violent and property crimes by forming specialized teams to tailor responses for specific needs of communities; maintain a state of the department that “champions” accountability, transparency and continuous improvement; assist vulnerable populations such as unhoused Angelenos and the city’s youth; preparing for major events coming to the region; and the responsible implementation of technology for public safety.
“Today, I stand here, not only as chief of police, but as a fellow Angeleno. We’re a city of dreamers, of resilience and of strength,” McDonnell said. “Every corner of Los Angeles tells a story, and every story is worth protection.”
Mayor Bass described the celebration as a “new and exciting day for public safety” for Los Angeles.
She touted McDonnell’s leadership experience — as a 29-year veteran of LAPD, and held several ranks leading up to first assistant chief of police before he left in 2010 to lead the Long Beach Police Department, where he served for almost five years. In 2014, L.A. County voters elected him as the sheriff.
“I know we will be prepared for the World Cup, the Olympics and everything that is ahead of us,” Bass said.
McDonnell succeeded former chief Michel Moore, who retired in February. Interim Chief Dominic Choi, who had been leading the LAPD since March, is expected to become one of three assistant chiefs.
The mayor took a moment to recognize Choi for his “steady leadership” over the last six months, as well as the Board of Police Commissioners and City Council.
Following the ceremony, asked by reporters about whether LAPD will be involved in federal immigration sweeps/deportations, he said:
“I know that there is a lot of fear in many of our communities relative to comments made about immigration enforcement. The LAPD’s role is very clear. We do not engage in immigration enforcement. We’re there for everybody in all of our communities.”
McDonnell already took the reins of the third-largest law-enforcement agency in the nation last week, after the City Council voted 11-2 in favor of Bass’ nominee. He was later sworn in during a private ceremony at City Hall.
McDonnell has said he will focus on addressing the LAPD’s recruitment challenges and improving morale, among other issues.
Council members Eunisses Hernandez and Hugo Soto-Martinez opposed his confirmation, citing concerns from the immigrant community regarding McDonnell’s past policies as county sheriff from 2014-18, when he allowed federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents into county jails.
Council members Heather Hutt and Kevin de León were absent during the vote.
The new LAPD chief reiterated post ceremony, that if the LAPD were to assist federal immigration agents: “`..It would have a chilling effect on people’s willingness to come forward, report crime and partner with us. And to have a safe community, we need all of the community members to be partners.”
“And so, my assurance is we’re not in that business. We will not be doing any of the things that people are worried about recently. And we’ll work forward with an open dialogue with … concerns, we want to hear them and we want to address them quickly so the rumors don’t get started, we don’t see panic in some of our communities. That’s the last thing we want and need,” McDonnell said.
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