L.A. Mayor Karen Bass introduces new LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell

Residents of Los Angeles finally know their next chief of police.

In a news conference Friday, mayor Karen Bass introduced Jim McDonnell, former Los Angeles County Sheriff and LAPD assistant chief, as the new chief of the L.A. Police Department. The hire is thought to be one of the crucial events of Bass’ first term in office.

McDonnell was elected sheriff in 2014 before losing to Alex Villanueva in a 2018 reelection bid.

He previously served as the chief of the Long Beach Police Department.

“In ensuring that our city is prepared, I have selected Jim McDonnell to serve as the 59th chief of police of the Los Angeles Police Department,” Bass said. “Chief McDonnell is one of America’s finest police professionals.”

McDonnell graduated from LAPD’s academy at the age of 21.

“I’m appointing Chief McDonnell 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,” Bass said.

During Friday’s announcement, McDonnell grasped the magnitude of his role in leading the police force of the second-largest city in the U.S.

“I love this city and I understand the modern-day challenges our officers face in trying to protect it,” he said.

In their remarks, both McDonnell and Bass acknowledged the opportunity L.A. has to rehabilitate its image as a safe city for the rest of the world, as it hosts the FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Summer Olympics and Paralympics.

The announcement comes after a search spanning several months. The vacancy opened after Chief Michael Moore’s surprise retirement earlier this year. Moore, who served in the role from 2018 until this February, took on challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic and protests stemming from the death of George Floyd.

In March, Assistant Chief Dominic H. Choi was unanimously appointed by the civilian Board of Police Commissioners to serve as interim chief of the LAPD. From the beginning of his brief term, Choi never sought out the full-time role of chief.

“I want to thank Chief Choi,” Bass said on Friday. “I’m grateful that you will continue, you’re not going anywhere, you will continue your role as assistance chief.”

Choi, LAPD’s first-ever Asian-American chief, took on challenges such as growing concerns over theft and smash-and-grab crimes throughout L.A.