“This is a city of immigrants, and my job is to serve you,” McDonnell said.
Councilmembers Hugo Soto-Martinez and Eunisses Hernandez were the only two officials who opposed the nomination of Jim McDonnell as LAPD chief of police.
Councilman Hugo Soto-Martinez said that “Chief McDonnell offered some assurances that he would not collaborate with ICE to deport Angelenos or separate families. However, his answers did not reflect a strong enough understanding of the immigrant families and undocumented Angelenos who are most affected by these policies.
“With Trump’s election, the threat of mass deportation and family separations now looms as an immediate, life-changing situation, which would have a catastrophic effect on hundreds of thousands of families in LA. One in three LA residents is an immigrant, with one in ten undocumented – and we know that millions of US citizens have at least one undocumented parent or family member living with them in their homes,” he added.
For his part, McDonnell declared that he is willing to comply with the city’s immigration policy.
“My job every day will be to help keep you safe, and I want to be clear to all people of Los Angeles, especially our immigrant community… feeling uncertainty and fear. This is a city of immigrants, and my job is to serve you,” McDonnell said.
In the wake of Trump’s victory, California politicians have expressed concern that the state’s progressive policies will be undermined.
Governor Gavin Newsom has called a special meeting to discuss how they will defend themselves if attacked by Washington.
“We remain laser-focused on keeping families together and building a safer LA for all. Stay tuned for many more updates in the coming weeks about how we are preparing for the Trump administration in LA,” the councilman added.
Mayor Karen Bass nominated him for the position last month. McDonnell becomes the 59th chief of the LAPD, the nation’s third-largest law enforcement agency. He will lead the department as it addresses major security issues in the coming years, with the region set to host the Olympics, a Super Bowl and the World Cup.
McDonnell was sworn-in during a private ceremony following the City Council’s vote. A public ceremony to honor the new chief is scheduled for Thursday.
McDonnell previously served in the LAPD for 29 years. He also served five years as the Long Beach police chief and four years as the Los Angeles County sheriff.
McDonnell replaces former Chief Michel Moore, who retired in February. Interim Police Chief Dominic Choi, who has been leading the LAPD since March, is expected to step down and become one of three assistant chiefs.
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