Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell told NBC Los Angeles that he is “hopeful” about a collaborative relationship with newly elected Mayor‑elect Nithya Raman. The conversation, which took place shortly after the November 3 municipal election, was described by McDonnell as “upbeat” and focused on shared public‑safety goals.
Positive dialogue after a contentious campaign
Raman, who unseated incumbent Mayor Karen Bass, reached out to McDonnell with a phone call the day after the election. When asked if Raman had requested his resignation, McDonnell replied, “No.” He emphasized that the democratic process had spoken and that campaign rhetoric often differs from the realities of governing.
Crime trends support the chief’s record
McDonnell highlighted recent statistics that show Los Angeles crime continuing to fall to generationally low levels. As of October, the murder rate is down 15 percent from the previous year, burglaries have dropped 26 percent, and serious assaults are down more than 3 percent. Overall crime is down over 9 percent compared with the same period last year. The chief linked these improvements to focused policing strategies and a morale boost within the department.
City charter limits mayor’s authority
Under the Los Angeles city charter, the police chief can only be removed by a vote of the five‑member Police Commission or through a separate city‑council process. Commissioners, who serve five‑year terms appointed by the mayor and confirmed by the council, will consider any future personnel actions. McDonnell noted his long‑standing relationship with the commission and declined to speculate on their views.
Raman’s stance on law‑enforcement leadership
Raman, endorsed by the Democratic Socialists of America‑LA, has been vocal about her desire for new leadership at the LAPD. A social‑media video that paired her with a campaign slogan aimed at ICE and the Trump administration’s immigration policies sparked criticism from the Los Angeles Police Protective League. Raman’s campaign later clarified that the video’s imagery was added by a third‑party content creator and that she never used the phrase to describe McDonnell, Bass, or LAPD officers.
Department outlook
When asked whether rank‑and‑file officers might leave the force under a new mayor, McDonnell said, “I think everybody has got a kind of wait‑and‑see attitude, but I’m optimistic.” He pointed to the department’s recent performance metrics as evidence that the LAPD is on a positive trajectory.
Background on Chief McDonnell
McDonnell was sworn in by Mayor Bass in November 2024 after a distinguished 40‑year career in law enforcement. He began with the LAPD in 1981, later served as chief of police in Long Beach and as the Los Angeles County Sheriff before returning to lead the LAPD.
As Los Angeles moves forward under its first mayor‑elect to defeat an incumbent in decades, both the chief and the new mayor emphasize a focus on public safety, community trust, and continued crime reduction.
Original reporting: NBC4 Los Angeles — read the source article.
