Jim McDonnell (sheriff)

This article is about the current Los Angeles police chief and former Los Angeles County sheriff. For other persons of the same name, see Jim McDonnell.

Jim McDonnell
McDonnell in 2014
59th Chief of the Los Angeles Police Department (nominee)
MayorKaren Bass
Preceded byDominic Choi (Interim)
32nd Sheriff of Los Angeles County
In office
December 1, 2014 – December 3, 2018
Preceded byJohn Scott (Interim)
Succeeded byAlex Villanueva
Chief of Police of Long Beach Police Department
In office
March 13, 2010 – November 22, 2014
Preceded byAnthony Batts
Succeeded byRobert Luna
Personal details
Born1959 (age 64–65)
SpouseKathy McDonnell
Children2
Police career
Department Los Angeles P.D. (2024–Present)
L.A. County Sheriff's Department (2014–2018)
Long Beach P.D. (2010–2014)
 Los Angeles P.D. (1981–2010)
Service years2024–Present (Los Angeles P.D.)
2014–2018 (L.A. County S.D.)
2010–2014 (Long Beach P.D.)
1981–2010 (Los Angeles P.D.)
Rank Sheriff
Long Beach Police Department Chief of Police
LAPD Deputy Chief
LAPD 1st Assistant Chief
LAPD Commander
LAPD Captain
LAPD Lieutenant
LAPD Detective I-III
LAPD Police Officer I-III
Awards Los Angeles P.D. Medal of Valor
L.A. Police Distinguished Service Medal
LAPD 1987 Papal Visit Ribbon
LAPD 1992 Civil Disturbance Ribbon
LAPD 1994 Earthquake Ribbon
LASD Distinguished Service Medal

James McDonnell is an American law enforcement officer. On October 4, 2024, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass nominated McDonnell to be the 59th Los Angeles Police Department's Chief of Police and will take the position upon confirmation of the Los Angeles City Council.[1][2] He is the former sheriff and head of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, the largest in the US, having been elected as L.A. County's 32nd sheriff on November 4, 2014, defeating former Undersheriff Paul Tanaka.[3] He replaced interim sheriff John Scott on December 1, 2014. Scott replaced former sheriff Lee Baca (who was also in federal prison).[4] Previously, McDonnell served as the Chief of Police in Long Beach, California and before that in the Los Angeles Police Department.[5] McDonnell was defeated in 2018 by Alex Villanueva.[6][7][8]

  1. ^ Jany, Libor; Winton, Richard; Zahniser, David; Smith, Dakota (October 4, 2024). "L.A. mayor selects longtime lawman Jim McDonnell as city's next police chief". Los Angeles Times.
  2. ^ Leonard, Eric; Blankstein, Andrew (October 4, 2024). "Former LA County Sheriff Jim McDonnell selected as new LAPD chief". NBC Los Angeles. Retrieved October 4, 2024.
  3. ^ "Former LA County Undersheriff Paul Tanaka begins prison term". Daily Breeze. January 16, 2017. Retrieved December 13, 2020.
  4. ^ "Former Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca is now a prison inmate in Texas". Los Angeles Times. February 5, 2020. Retrieved December 13, 2020.
  5. ^ "L.A.'s loss is Long Beach's gain in the hiring of Jim McDonnell". Daily News. February 4, 2010. Retrieved December 13, 2020.
  6. ^ Haskell, Josh (November 17, 2018). "Alex Villanueva declares win in LA County sheriff race despite no concession from Jim McDonnell". ABC7 Los Angeles. Retrieved December 13, 2020.
  7. ^ Stoltze, Frank (November 17, 2018). "Alex Villanueva Declares Victory Over Jim McDonnell in LA County Sheriff's Race". LAist. Retrieved December 13, 2020.
  8. ^ Bartley, Lisa (June 1, 2017). "Eyewitness News investigates costs of replacing decals on LA County sheriff's patrol cars". ABC7 Los Angeles. Retrieved December 13, 2020.