As the race for Los Angeles mayor intensifies ahead of the 2028 Olympic Games and other major events, the role of LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell has become a focal point of debate between incumbent Mayor Karen Bass and City Councilmember Nithya Raman. The candidates hold contrasting views on McDonnell’s leadership and the direction of the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD).

Jim McDonnell, an LAPD veteran who assumed the chief’s position in November 2024 after serving as Los Angeles County sheriff, has overseen a period marked by a decline in violent crime but also by controversy regarding use-of-force policies and responses to protests. Supporters cite his experience and steady leadership, particularly in preparing the city for upcoming events like the World Cup and the 2028 Olympics. The Los Angeles Police Protective League, the union representing rank-and-file officers, has endorsed Mayor Bass, citing contract negotiations and pay raises during her tenure. The union has also actively campaigned against Raman, investing millions in attack advertisements and criticizing her ties to progressive groups such as the Democratic Socialists of America, which it has labeled an “imminent threat.”

Raman has criticized McDonnell for what she describes as a failure to “meet the moment,” pointing to the department’s lack of transparency, including the discontinuation of neighborhood-level crime data and perceived inadequacies in disciplinary procedures. She has expressed interest in replacing McDonnell before his current term ends in late 2029, signaling a desire for more immediate changes, although she later toned down public statements suggesting an imminent ouster. Raman’s calls for reform have positioned her as a critic of the department’s current leadership and have drawn support from voters concerned with accountability and police practices. However, her campaign has also faced scrutiny. In particular, an Instagram video in which she appeared to criticize McDonnell and Bass with the phrase “only you can stop fascist liars” sparked backlash; Raman later denied that the remarks targeted the mayor or chief and said the video had been improperly edited and removed.

Mayor Bass, who appointed McDonnell two years ago, has voiced support for maintaining his leadership during this critical period. She warns that removing the chief prematurely could disrupt the department’s stability ahead of the Olympic Games. Bass has also acknowledged the need for reform, highlighting ongoing efforts to address police shootings linked to mental health crises and has commissioned an external review of LAPD policies and training. Nonetheless, some progressives remain skeptical of Bass’s approach, seeing it as insufficiently transformative.

The debate over McDonnell’s future reflects broader tensions between calls for reform and concerns about public safety and police morale. Both candidates are navigating these challenges as they seek to appeal to a diverse electorate ahead of a campaign that will shape policing and public safety strategies in Los Angeles for years to come.