I went to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s debate last night at the Jewish Community Center. I’m not up on the issues, but it seems like Paul Tanaka has been saddled by everything Lee Baca did wrong and that Jim McDonnell is headed for an easy victory.
Long Beach Police Chief Jim McDonnell is the only candidate for Los Angeles County Sheriff who’s been a top cop.
He’s also the only contender who’s never worn the department’s green and tan uniform — an attribute McDonnell said lends itself to the kind of critical eye that’s needed.
“I’m not encumbered by past practices of the organization or long-term allegiances within the department,” McDonnell said.
As Long Beach’s police chief, McDonnell points to dropping crime rates as proof his approach to policing works. If elected sheriff, McDonnell said he plans on applying the same policing strategy, which calls on officers to engage with members of the community, throughout L.A. County. McDonnell said the department would also benefit from his leadership style: Setting clear expectations and holding his subordinates accountable for meeting them.
But the Long Beach Police Department has not been without controversy during McDonnell’s four-year tenure. Last year, officers fired their weapons in 22 incidents, including three accidental discharges, three dog shootings and four misses. The remaining 11 incidents left six suspects dead and five injured, McDonnell said.
