LOS ANGELES — Jim McDonnell, who previously served as the Los Angeles County Sheriff, was sworn in as the new chief of the Los Angeles Police Department on Friday. He will be receiving one of the highest salaries for a police chief in a major U.S. city, with a base pay of $450,000, which was approved by the city council before the ceremony. This figure represents a reduction from the initial proposal of $507,509 from the LA board of police commissioners. Notably, this proposed amount marked an increase of over $150,000 compared to the previous chief’s salary. The designated salary range during the hiring process was between $408,475 and $507,509.
In comparison, Michel Moore, the former chief who retired in January, had a base salary of $391,268 in 2023, according to figures from the city controller’s office. McDonnell, who is 65 years of age, now oversees a police force of nearly 9,000 officers, previously led by Interim Chief Dominic Choi. For reference, the commissioner of the New York Police Department, which has the largest force in the nation with over 30,000 officers, earns approximately $243,000, while Larry Snelling, the Superintendent of Police in Chicago, receives $275,748.
McDonnell’s new salary also surpasses the current LA County sheriff’s earnings of $397,340. The city council confirmed McDonnell’s appointment by a vote of 10 to 2, with city council members Hugo Soto-Martinez and Eunisses Hernandez voting against it. The decision to offer McDonnell a high salary has faced criticism, particularly given ongoing budget challenges in the city. Police commissioner Maria Lou Calanche expressed concerns during a meeting, questioning why McDonnell would not start with a lower salary considering the city’s fiscal issues.
Chuck Wexler, who is the executive director of the Police Executive Research Forum, noted that police chiefs on the West Coast typically earn more than their counterparts on the East Coast, based on a survey of over 300 departments in 2021. While salaries for police executives have risen, McDonnell’s pay is about $100,000 above that of his predecessor. “The high turnover and retirements within law enforcement have contributed to increased salaries for police officers, which in turn affects executive pay,” Wexler stated.
It is important to note that McDonnell’s $450,000 salary does not encompass potential benefits or bonuses and he can continue receiving pension payments from his previous positions. McDonnell responded to the discussions surrounding his compensation, stating that he sees it as reasonable considering his qualifications and experience.
The vote to confirm him followed an extended and often contentious public comment session, which saw several individuals removed from council chambers. Immigration advocates expressed strong opposition to McDonnell’s appointment, citing concerns about his past actions as sheriff that allegedly allowed federal authorities to operate without restriction and share information with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Maria Estrada, a member of the Service Employees International Union, recalled instances where crime victims were deported during McDonnell’s tenure as sheriff. “Many of us within this community are frightened by his appointment,” she remarked.
In response, McDonnell reassured attendees during his confirmation hearing that the LAPD would stand by Los Angeles’ immigrant community. He emphasized that his department would not engage in mass deportations and that officers would refrain from inquiring about individuals’ immigration status. “Los Angeles is a city of immigrants, and my duty is to safeguard this city,” he promised.
McDonnell acknowledged the anxiety stemming from the political climate under President Donald Trump’s administration and his mass deportation promises, affirming that he would keep federal immigration enforcement separate from local law enforcement efforts. Mayor Karen Bass selected McDonnell from a pool of three candidates put forth by the civilian LA police commission, which included Deputy Chief Emada Tingirides and former Assistant Chief Robert “Bobby” Arcos. Prior to her decision, Mayor Bass engaged with numerous LAPD officers and community leaders.
McDonnell was originally elected as LA County Sheriff in 2014 and previously directed the largest sheriff’s department in the nation. He also has a notable 29-year history within the LAPD and spent nearly five years as the police chief of Long Beach.