Rafu Wire Service and Staff Reports
Former LAPD Assistant Chief Jim McDonnell, who also spent four years as county sheriff, was named Friday the next chief of the LAPD, taking over a department that will deal with major security issues in the coming years.
Mayor Karen Bass made the announcement at a news conference at City Hall, selecting McDonnell from among three finalists for the job. Pending approval by the City Council, McDonnell, also a former Long Beach police chief, will replace Michel Moore, who retired in February.
Dominic Choi was unanimously appointed interim chief by the Los Angeles Police Commission and assumed his duties on March 1, but did not seek the job on a permament basis. He is the first Asian American to lead the department.
Born to South Korean immigrant parents, he graduated from USC and joined the LAPD in 1995.
“I want to thank Chief Choi,” Bass said. “Your experience and steady leadership have been invaluable to me and to all of Los Angeles. I also want to recognize you, Chief Choi, for your more than 20 years of service to our city, and I’m grateful you will continue. You’re not going anywhere. You’ll continue to serve … as assistant chief.
“Every day you and every officer of the LAPD pin on that badge and shield Angelenos from harm, and we thank you all for your service.”
The Police Commission submitted three candidates for police chief to Bass in August — McDonnell, LAPD Deputy Chief Emada Tingirides and former Assistant Chief Robert “Bobby” Arcos, who has been working with District Attorney George Gascón’s office as head of investigations.
Bass called McDonnell “one of America’s finest police professionals” and one of the “nationally recognized thought leaders on public safety.”
She said that working with McDonnell, “together we will grow and strengthen LAPD,” and “will strengthen relationships with the community.”
Bass also expressed confidence in McDonnell to keep Los Angeles safe during upcoming major events — the 2026 World Cup and the 2028 Olympic Games — noting that after spending time in Paris during the recent Olympics, “the magnitude of what L.A. needs to prepare for us crystal clear to me.”
McDonnell also recognized that challenge, saying, “In the next five years, the eyes of the world will be upon us. Los Angeles will host the World Cup, it will host the Olympic and Paralympic games, it will host a Super Bowl and an NBA All-Star Game. Our department and our city will be showcased, and we will be prepared. What a great opportunity that is for all of us in L.A.”
McDonnell noted that he began his law enforcement career at the LAPD police academy 43 years ago, and said “standing before you here today is a dream realized.”
“I love this city and I understand the modern-day challenges our officers face in trying to protect it,” he said. “To our LAPD officers, I thank you. you answer the call. You perform your duties with dignity, and you hold each other to the highest professional standards.”