LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell displays a collection of coins that mark the highlights of his career. photo by Steven Georges
“I think there’s an excitement that comes along with bringing the world together for something good like the Olympic Games,” LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell
LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell and journalist Julia Deng share a
light-hearted moment. photo by Steven Georges
From Chief, Page 4
declined by 2% in 2024 as compared to 2023. “I take that as a little bit of optimism as we move forward into 2025.” Cooperation amongst many agencies will
Hochman and a new L.A. City Attorney Heidi Feldstein Soto, and McDonnell has confidence the departments will work together to hold criminals accountable.
By Elizabeth Smilor Special Sections Writer S uper Bowl rings, football jerseys, a WWE belt, an MTV Video Award “moon man,” an Emmy, a signed guitar and more surround Inglewood Mayor James T. Butts Jr. in his conference room. These are symbols of the transformation of a city that was on the verge of bankruptcy 14 years ago. Inglewood doesn’t have a reputation. Inglewood has a brand. It’s sports and entertainment. It’s jobs. It’s high-value real estate. It’s success,” Butts said, adding one of his favorite sayings: “The only thing that’s changed about Inglewood is everything.” Adding this after a pause: “Except the people.” “The things that we’ve done and the way that we’ve done it have manifested themselves to a point where all these things have uplifted a 92% black and brown community to being a respected brand in this country.” Since he was elected to his first term as Mayor in 2011, Inglewood’s unemployment rate has decreased from 17.5% to 5%, the crime rate is the lowest ever, home prices are up 200%, and the city went from an $18-million deficit to giving residential property owners a one-time $500 tax rebate
in 2024. The city has the lowest rent caps in the area and more affordable housing units than the rest of the South Bay. The city has given out millions in small business grants and is developing an Inglewood business registry to help local shops benefit from big events. “We have developed the concept that you’re a part of something larger than yourself and that what you do matters,” Butts said. “We have a vision, we strategies to fulfill that vision and plans to fulfill those strategies. That’s what we do here every day.” Under his watch, Inglewood became home to: the L.A. Rams and L.A. Chargers at SoFi Stadium; the L.A. Clippers in the new Intuit Dome; Kia Forum, the #2 concert venue in the U.S.; L.A. Philharmonic’s Youth Orchestra LA; the Girl Scouts of Greater Los Angeles headquarters; and the NFL Network. The sports venues will host the 2026 FIFA World Cup, 2027 Super Bowl and several 2028 Olympic and Paralympic ceremonies and events. “He’s done such an amazing job bringing the Rams and Chargers to Inglewood and creating thousands of jobs for the Inglewood community at SoFi Stadium,” posted by Earvin Magic Johnson after meeting with Butts a few years ago. 1 What more could Inglewood need? “We don’t have needs anymore, we have dreams. If we had
also be needed to prepare for and host upcoming high-profile events, including 2026 FIFA World Cup games, the 2027 Super Bowl and the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games. “I clearly remember the 1984 Olympics and the positive environment. That’s good for us, that’s good for our people, that’s good for our mental health,” McDonnell said. “It’s also good for improving the image of policing in our society, and that’s good for recruiting.” Recruitment and Retention When McDonnell reached out to the LAPD employees affected by the wildfires, he said he was inspired by their desire to get back to work and help others. Their resilience did not surprise him. “The LAPD culture is one of: ‘we’ll get it done,’ you know, ‘just give me the mission and let me go.’ And we’ve seen that over and over again and that needs to be managed, but also encouraged,” McDonnell said. “We’re lean but because we’re lean, over the years we evolved to do business in such a way that we’re more efficient.” He explained how they use helicopters, K-9 units, and other technology and tools to work efficiently.
The Chief made it clear that LAPD’s duties do not include immigration enforcement. The California Values Act (Senate Bill 54) passed in 2017, prohibits state or local resources from arresting or detaining people solely based on immigration status. “We would be doing ourselves a disservice in our ability to protect Los Angeles, if we were to engage in efforts like that,” McDonnell said. “There’s a lot of anxiety in immigrant communities, and I do fear that some people are afraid to report crimes to us. I just want to reinforce that if you are a victim of a crime, or if you are a witness to a crime, or you need the police for help in any fashion, call 911. LAPD will roll out there, and your immigration status does not matter to us.” One of Los Angeles’ most visible and challenging issues is homelessness. McDonnell sees the LAPD as a partner in this crisis, whose role is to step in when people’s behavior is criminal, and to support other community organizations. Both the LAPD and LASD have Mental Evaluation Teams that include mental health professionals to help with intervention and placement. “None of us can do this in a silo, but we look for the opportunity to partner with other agencies to be able to help deal with these issues,” he said, adding the unhoused population
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6 | Civic Leadership 2025
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