Jim McDonnell Sworn In
On Nov. 8, Jim McDonnell, former First Assistant Chief of the LAPD and Sheriff of Los Angeles County, was confirmed by the City Council to serve as the 59th Chief of the LAPD.
He has spent more than 40 years in policing and is a longtime Club Member.
“I want to thank the Mayor, Police Commission and the City Council for their support, and I look forward to their continued partnership as we look to improve public safety throughout Los Angeles,” Chief McDonnell said. “Starting today, the real work begins. By focusing on growing the Department and deepening ties to the community, I believe we can make Los Angeles a safer City.”
Chief McDonnell said that his goals are to:
Enhance public safety;
- Grow LAPD back to full strength through recruitment and retention;
- Strengthen public trust;
- Further develop community relationships;
- Ensure respectful and constitutional policing practices; and
- Prepare LAPD and our partners for the challenges ahead.
About Chief Jim McDonnell
Chief Jim McDonnell, who began his policing career with the LAPD, has served for more than 40 years in the public safety profession and is the first person to serve in senior executive leadership positions in the three largest policing agencies in Los Angeles County: the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Dept. (LASD), the Los Angeles Police Dept. (LAPD), and the Long Beach Police Dept. (LBPD). During his tenure, all three agencies saw a reduction in crime and improved police-community relations.
McDonnell has served as Vice President of the Major County Sheriffs of America; President of the California Peace Officers’ Association; President of the Los Angeles County Police Chiefs’ Association; a board member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police; a board member of the Peace Officers’ Association of Los Angeles County; a member of the Major Cities Chiefs Association; and as a member of the California Commission on Peace Officers’ Standards & Training (POST).
After earning a Bachelor of Science degree in criminal justice from St. Anselm College in Manchester, New Hampshire, McDonnell obtained a Master’s degree in Public Administration from the University of Southern California. He is also a graduate of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s National Executive Institute and has completed executive education programs at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government.
Congratulations, Chief! The Club honors you and celebrates you for your dedicated public service.
